This is day 12 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Officially, the Kansas wheat harvest is 92 percent complete, well ahead of 55 percent complete last year and 72 percent for the five-year average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending July 7, 2024. Northwest Kansas has the most remaining wheat to be cut at 70 percent harvested.

Kansas had widespread rain over the weekend, which kept harvest on Monday at a standstill for many areas. Still, the southwest area is about 91 percent complete and wrapping straggling fields after beginning harvest early - the first week of June compared to the normal Father’s Day start.&nbsp;

Lori Deyoe, grain originator with Skyland Grain, covers a wide swath of the western third of the state - from Leoti to the southern Kansas border and from the western border with Colorado to Kismet. Based in Ulysess in Grant County, she reported good weather throughout the growing season. Snow in December made the crop and the cooler, wetter weather in May during filling finished it nicely - for those that received those rains.&nbsp;

She estimated taking in more than double the wheat from last year’s slap in the face. After thinking this year’s harvest would be sub-average, the final numbers look to hit average or maybe even a tick better. The wheat in the bins is headed via truck to the mills near Wichita, fulfilling demand within the state.&nbsp;

Yields range from 10 to 85 bushels per acre for dryland wheat and 85 to 115 bushels per acre on irrigated fields. Test weights started out tremendous above 60 pounds per bushel at the start of harvest, but after much-needed rains moved in have gone down. Proteins have been extremely regionalized ranging from 10 percent to above 12 percent.&nbsp;

“Everybody is extremely happy with their farm averages coming in from the field,” Deyoe said. “Everyone is ecstatic we’re getting the rains we’re getting, but wish we had been done with harvest before they started.”&nbsp;

The gully-washer on Saturday night will benefit fall crops, keeping producers delayed from the one or two cutting days needed to fully wrap up harvest. Farmers near Lakin would have finished Sunday or Monday and custom harvest crews are making quick work of remaining fields around Johnson. Last, but not least, irrigated fields north of Ulysses will likely be the last few to be cut.&nbsp;

Near Norton, Chris Tanner started cutting his WestBred Grainfield wheat on Monday, June 24, only to be delayed by rain the next day. They had been cutting a phenomenal crop with yields between 50 and 60 bushels per acre, strong test weights ranging from 59 to 63 pounds per bushel and great protein at 12 to 14 percent.&nbsp;

“We are in a sweet spot here,” Tanner said.&nbsp;

He credited an ideal growing season to good moisture throughout the year. Sufficient moisture at drilling meant the wheat came up early with well-established stands. In the spring, the wheat emerged from dormancy early, but in good shape and the luck continued.&nbsp;

While the weather was on-track, fertilizer prices were high, and Tanner noted he spent money on fungicide applications due to rust pressure. Producers did abandon some fields due to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, which has been bad in the area, in addition to some yield loss from Barley yellow dwarf virus.&nbsp;

A couple of 1.5 inch rains and several smaller showers have decreased yields 10 to 12 percent, test weights down to 55 to 57 pounds per bushel and protein averaging in the mid-11s. Even with the rain detriment, the year should end above average by the time harvest wraps up by the end of this week.

This year’s harvest is in stark contrast to last year’s disaster when a lot of wheat in northern Norton County was abandoned due to drought. The residue from this year’s crop is some of the best Tanner has had in his career and will benefit his subsequent crops.&nbsp;

“The most exciting part of this year’s harvest is the residue,” Tanner said. “The most disappointing part is the price.”

﻿As fields dry out and those last few acres are cut, the Kansas Wheat crew will issue the final Kansas wheat harvest report on Tuesday, July 9.

﻿The 2024 Harvest Reports are brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates, use&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q0GCfqPlDIQQcXVICtdUois2ISvKhRsCBrfEDTf_POxVBGH38NOwbkILvZgh8RYwPgboL8oDEkVTm4kjuDyf9Hv0b-YsJykWDHFhPdbx9CUsTKHQKSD1uwiuTLeE8lT5RQT5ye9wxTJdeyWxqMCp2fs9BSRAzX0T_qvZEW45ao825_ZwKN33r2zMdaZeKbAWisE4zd5Wr5OOUdywLLMnGInzXqSo3dVPr0jogR4gaT8=&amp;c=UGmhBH8y6u4j3XawAjNfFDlTHIGw6a3F_1b0UpxKy2JevQ7zNNiDBg==&amp;ch=fqNpyL8AVo2KIi9-rWOA-7qDzsid4BarsFxYIOdlQQELUJgPUw9s9w==">#wheatharvest24</a>&nbsp;on social media.&nbsp;Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q0GCfqPlDIQQcXVICtdUois2ISvKhRsCBrfEDTf_POxVBGH38NOwbifSjWPqvufqTWCg2Uaicg-YpXmrcEyYIeCsaFpGgvp7RfexYyiY20RrcIH6_JlQXkqhhnwWtV79M5-sw9TLT-BnjTAckSKngLA0zJVf1q76RHHe1_GCu9U=&amp;c=UGmhBH8y6u4j3XawAjNfFDlTHIGw6a3F_1b0UpxKy2JevQ7zNNiDBg==&amp;ch=fqNpyL8AVo2KIi9-rWOA-7qDzsid4BarsFxYIOdlQQELUJgPUw9s9w==">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q0GCfqPlDIQQcXVICtdUois2ISvKhRsCBrfEDTf_POxVBGH38NOwboMfAcvjcjYt3QPyXPy4Z4dK1fxfRu34bGnnBwkuqCjDme8XzCGIrU0rqc8uekCe2yKyMXfUJ61zHRaMN19YwwPeMo1EEXxoI4slvQmQAIIn&amp;c=UGmhBH8y6u4j3XawAjNfFDlTHIGw6a3F_1b0UpxKy2JevQ7zNNiDBg==&amp;ch=fqNpyL8AVo2KIi9-rWOA-7qDzsid4BarsFxYIOdlQQELUJgPUw9s9w==">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q0GCfqPlDIQQcXVICtdUois2ISvKhRsCBrfEDTf_POxVBGH38NOwbpn9k9iaARF9C_0aosn9vVR9gVy5rjqphBfgw9VaqmKfZ-skVjRKV1Q8rsiu6rzdGyzSvLQpUrl3FVVAk5dKgvUillN1TRFe2YTNNzCN_y-L&amp;c=UGmhBH8y6u4j3XawAjNfFDlTHIGw6a3F_1b0UpxKy2JevQ7zNNiDBg==&amp;ch=fqNpyL8AVo2KIi9-rWOA-7qDzsid4BarsFxYIOdlQQELUJgPUw9s9w==">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720485287762.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JULIA DEBESKansas WheatThis is day 12 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Officially, the Kansas wheat harvest is 92 percent complete, well ahead of 55 percent complete last year and 72 percent for the five-year average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending July 7, 2024. Northwest Kansas has the most remaining wheat to be cut at 70 percent harvested.Kansas had widespread rain over the weekend, which kept harvest on Monday at a standstill for many areas. Still, the southwest area is about 91 percent complete and wrapping straggling fields after beginning harvest early - the first week of June compared to the normal Father’s Day start.&nbsp;Lori Deyoe, grain originator with Skyland Grain, covers a wide swath of the western third of the state - from Leoti to the southern Kansas border and from the western border with Colorado to Kismet. Based in Ulysess in Grant County, she reported good weather throughout the growing season. Snow in December made the crop and the cooler, wetter weather in May during filling finished it nicely - for those that received those rains.&nbsp;She estimated taking in more than double the wheat from last year’s slap in the face. After thinking this year’s harvest would be sub-average, the final numbers look to hit average or maybe even a tick better. The wheat in the bins is headed via truck to the mills near Wichita, fulfilling demand within the state.&nbsp;Yields range from 10 to 85 bushels per acre for dryland wheat and 85 to 115 bushels per acre on irrigated fields. Test weights started out tremendous above 60 pounds per bushel at the start of harvest, but after much-needed rains moved in have gone down. Proteins have been extremely regionalized ranging from 10 percent to above 12 percent.&nbsp;“Everybody is extremely happy with their farm averages coming in from the field,” Deyoe said. “Everyone is ecstatic we’re getting the rains we’re getting, but wish we had been done with harvest before they started.”&nbsp;The gully-washer on Saturday night will benefit fall crops, keeping producers delayed from the one or two cutting days needed to fully wrap up harvest. Farmers near Lakin would have finished Sunday or Monday and custom harvest crews are making quick work of remaining fields around Johnson. Last, but not least, irrigated fields north of Ulysses will likely be the last few to be cut.&nbsp;Near Norton, Chris Tanner started cutting his WestBred Grainfield wheat on Monday, June 24, only to be delayed by rain the next day. They had been cutting a phenomenal crop with yields between 50 and 60 bushels per acre, strong test weights ranging from 59 to 63 pounds per bushel and great protein at 12 to 14 percent.&nbsp;“We are in a sweet spot here,” Tanner said.&nbsp;He credited an ideal growing season to good moisture throughout the year. Sufficient moisture at drilling meant the wheat came up early with well-established stands. In the spring, the wheat emerged from dormancy early, but in good shape and the luck continued.&nbsp;While the weather was on-track, fertilizer prices were high, and Tanner noted he spent money on fungicide applications due to rust pressure. Producers did abandon some fields due to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, which has been bad in the area, in addition to some yield loss from Barley yellow dwarf virus.&nbsp;A couple of 1.5 inch rains and several smaller showers have decreased yields 10 to 12 percent, test weights down to 55 to 57 pounds per bushel and protein averaging in the mid-11s. Even with the rain detriment, the year should end above average by the time harvest wraps up by the end of this week.This year’s harvest is in stark contrast to last year’s disaster when a lot of wheat in northern Norton County was abandoned due to drought. The residue from this year’s crop is some of the best Tanner has had in his career and will benefit his subsequent crops.&nbsp;“The most exciting part of this year’s harvest is the residue,” Tanner said. “The most disappointing part is the price.”﻿As fields dry out and those last few acres are cut, the Kansas Wheat crew will issue the final Kansas wheat harvest report on Tuesday, July 9.﻿The 2024 Harvest Reports are brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates, use&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q0GCfqPlDIQQcXVICtdUois2ISvKhRsCBrfEDTf_POxVBGH38NOwbkILvZgh8RYwPgboL8oDEkVTm4kjuDyf9Hv0b-YsJykWDHFhPdbx9CUsTKHQKSD1uwiuTLeE8lT5RQT5ye9wxTJdeyWxqMCp2fs9BSRAzX0T_qvZEW45ao825_ZwKN33r2zMdaZeKbAWisE4zd5Wr5OOUdywLLMnGInzXqSo3dVPr0jogR4gaT8=&amp;c=UGmhBH8y6u4j3XawAjNfFDlTHIGw6a3F_1b0UpxKy2JevQ7zNNiDBg==&amp;ch=fqNpyL8AVo2KIi9-rWOA-7qDzsid4BarsFxYIOdlQQELUJgPUw9s9w==">#wheatharvest24</a>&nbsp;on social media.&nbsp;Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q0GCfqPlDIQQcXVICtdUois2ISvKhRsCBrfEDTf_POxVBGH38NOwbifSjWPqvufqTWCg2Uaicg-YpXmrcEyYIeCsaFpGgvp7RfexYyiY20RrcIH6_JlQXkqhhnwWtV79M5-sw9TLT-BnjTAckSKngLA0zJVf1q76RHHe1_GCu9U=&amp;c=UGmhBH8y6u4j3XawAjNfFDlTHIGw6a3F_1b0UpxKy2JevQ7zNNiDBg==&amp;ch=fqNpyL8AVo2KIi9-rWOA-7qDzsid4BarsFxYIOdlQQELUJgPUw9s9w==">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q0GCfqPlDIQQcXVICtdUois2ISvKhRsCBrfEDTf_POxVBGH38NOwboMfAcvjcjYt3QPyXPy4Z4dK1fxfRu34bGnnBwkuqCjDme8XzCGIrU0rqc8uekCe2yKyMXfUJ61zHRaMN19YwwPeMo1EEXxoI4slvQmQAIIn&amp;c=UGmhBH8y6u4j3XawAjNfFDlTHIGw6a3F_1b0UpxKy2JevQ7zNNiDBg==&amp;ch=fqNpyL8AVo2KIi9-rWOA-7qDzsid4BarsFxYIOdlQQELUJgPUw9s9w==">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q0GCfqPlDIQQcXVICtdUois2ISvKhRsCBrfEDTf_POxVBGH38NOwbpn9k9iaARF9C_0aosn9vVR9gVy5rjqphBfgw9VaqmKfZ-skVjRKV1Q8rsiu6rzdGyzSvLQpUrl3FVVAk5dKgvUillN1TRFe2YTNNzCN_y-L&amp;c=UGmhBH8y6u4j3XawAjNfFDlTHIGw6a3F_1b0UpxKy2JevQ7zNNiDBg==&amp;ch=fqNpyL8AVo2KIi9-rWOA-7qDzsid4BarsFxYIOdlQQELUJgPUw9s9w==">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 12, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

DICKINSON COUNTY - In Dickinson County, the right lane of eastbound I-70 is closed near the Abilene exit for concrete repair.

Crews from the Kansas Department of Transportation are removing and replacing damaged concrete in the outer lane.

The project is estimated to be completed by August, depending on the weather.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of highway construction projects across Kansas, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.gov/">www.kandrive.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 5-1-1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720467049576.png" alt="Eastbound I-70 outer lane closed near Abilene map from KanDrive.org" />
 <figcaption>Eastbound I-70 outer lane closed near Abilene map from KanDrive.org</figcaption>
 </figure>by BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostDICKINSON COUNTY - In Dickinson County, the right lane of eastbound I-70 is closed near the Abilene exit for concrete repair.Crews from the Kansas Department of Transportation are removing and replacing damaged concrete in the outer lane.The project is estimated to be completed by August, depending on the weather.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720467563841.png" alt="Eastbound I-70 outer lane closed pic from KanDrive.org" />
 <figcaption>Eastbound I-70 outer lane closed pic from KanDrive.org</figcaption>
 </figure>KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of highway construction projects across Kansas, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.gov/">www.kandrive.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 5-1-1.

Outer lane of eastbound I-70 closed near Abilene until August

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.&nbsp;

LAQUINTA RAE BROWN, 34, Manhattan, Probation Violation; Bond $10,000

SHIHEEM DELIJAH REID, 27, Ogden, Domestic battery; Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship; Bond $2,000

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.&nbsp;LAQUINTA RAE BROWN, 34, Manhattan, Probation Violation; Bond $10,000SHIHEEM DELIJAH REID, 27, Ogden, Domestic battery; Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship; Bond $2,000

Riley County Arrest Report July 8

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged theft in Manhattan.

Just after 9:30a.m. Sunday, officers filed a report of theft in the 2300 block of Sky-Vue Lane, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. 

A 38-year-old man reported a lock was cut from a trailer and a Hack Attack pitching machine, valued at approximately $2,600, and a Honda portable generator, valued at approximately $1,100, were taken by an unknown subject. 

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged theft in Manhattan.Just after 9:30a.m. Sunday, officers filed a report of theft in the 2300 block of Sky-Vue Lane, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A 38-year-old man reported a lock was cut from a trailer and a Hack Attack pitching machine, valued at approximately $2,600, and a Honda portable generator, valued at approximately $1,100, were taken by an unknown subject. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: $2,600 pitching machine taken from trailer

RILEY COUNTY—One person was hospitalized after a crash that occurred just before 10p.m. Sunday in Manhattan.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report,&nbsp;a Dodge Caravan driven by Adebayo Wasiu Adenigi, 63, of Manhattan, struck a Chevy Sonic driven by Jonathan Holmes Fateley, 58, Manhattan in the 3200 Block of Windbreak Circle.

EMS transported Adenigi to Via Christi for treatment of an apparent medical event that occurred while driving.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional information.

RILEY COUNTY—One person was hospitalized after a crash that occurred just before 10p.m. Sunday in Manhattan.According to the Riley County Police Department activity report,&nbsp;a Dodge Caravan driven by Adebayo Wasiu Adenigi, 63, of Manhattan, struck a Chevy Sonic driven by Jonathan Holmes Fateley, 58, Manhattan in the 3200 Block of Windbreak Circle.EMS transported Adenigi to Via Christi for treatment of an apparent medical event that occurred while driving.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional information.

Manhattan man hospitalized after 2-vehicle crash

Many small businesses owners are planning on retiring soon, but finding buyers to keep the businesses going can be a challenge, especially in rural areas.

&nbsp;By Brian Beach Harvest Public Media

The town of Stratton, Nebraska, used to have two grocery stores, two barber shops and a pharmacist.

But today, most of those businesses are long gone.

Late last year the town’s lone lumberyard and hardware store closed, too, adding to the empty buildings in town.

Owner Denis League, who is in his late 60s, spent a year trying to find a buyer. Yet none of the interested buyers could make the finances work in the tiny western Nebraska community.

“You’re dealing with a pretty small base and we’re just not getting enough business here to make it interesting to anybody else, as far as anybody else wanting to buy it,” League said.

Without League Builders Supply, customers now have to drive more than an hour and a half away to the nearest lumberyard.

“The people that have been coming here are just going to have to go somewhere else,” League said. “But a lot of people have gotten used to not coming here anyway.”

More than half of business owners are 55 years or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey. With the youngest Baby Boomers set to reach retirement age in 2030, it’s clear small business ownership will undergo a major transition. The Exit Planning Institute found in a recent study that 75% of business owners would like to exit their businesses within the next 10 years.

“There's a silver tsunami coming,” said Renee Wiatt, a research specialist with the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development at Purdue University. “There’s basically going to be this mass exodus of that baby boomer age who are going to all be retiring in the next five to 10 years.”

That wave is likely to hit rural areas especially hard.

The village of Stratton had a population of more than 600 in 1950.

Many other towns across the rural Great Plains and the Midwest have experienced similar losses.

Young people migrating to larger cities and leaving behind aging populations are contributing to the decline, according to Ness Sandoval, a sociology professor at Saint Louis University.

“In rural areas, you tend to see more people dying than are born,” he said. “That has to do with the brain drain — young people leaving and going to college, and not necessarily coming back home.”

He grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, a town of nearly 15,000 people in the state’s western panhandle.

He said things have changed since he was a kid, as most businesses in the smaller towns have closed due to competition from larger retailers.

“All these small businesses that surrounded Scottsbluff essentially are dead because they can't compete with a Walmart, they can't compete with Home Depot,” he said. “The margins are just too small.”

Sandoval said he is concerned about the future of many rural small towns as the older generation retires without young people to replace them.

“Once these Baby Boomers die and my generation, the Gen Xers die, I don’t see a lot of people moving there because they’re not the same type of communities that existed 20, 25 years ago,” he said.

Yet Wiatt of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development said the wave of retirements could also bring opportunities, as well.

“Most businesses fail within the first five years from when they're started,” she said. “So, if there was an opportunity like that, to come into a business that’s established and try to run it, I think it's a great opportunity for these younger individuals to take some charge there,” she said.

At Advance Iowa, an organization that helps businesses with ownership succession planning, Program Manager Stacy Mullinex said there are three primary questions that need to be asked when a business owner is looking to sell their business: when they want to see, what the value of the business is and who they are going to sell to.

Mullinex said the third question is where more business owners struggle.

But through Advance Iowa, Mullinex focuses on an employee ownership model where existing business employees can be trained to own the operation.

“A lot of times, the people that already know the business really well, that already are vested in the community, they already know the consumers and they know how the business operates and runs, that’s the employees,” Mullinex said.

She advocates for the worker cooperative model, where the owner sells the business to employees and then the workers own it as a group. “It’s kind of a win-win-win of opportunity for everybody,” she said.

Mullinex said the owner wins because they are provided with a feasible buyer, the employees win through increased wealth and job satisfaction through ownership, and the local community wins by keeping a business in town.

However, for businesses with no employees to sell to, Wiatt said many business owners are working further into old age to keep their operations running.

“The retirement age is being pushed back for a lot of these farms and small businesses and family businesses,” she said. “I think it's just getting harder and harder to quit.”

In the southeast Kansas town of Moran, population 466, Marilyn Logan is adamant that she does not plan on retiring soon.

Logan, who is nearing 80 years old, is the part-owner and manager of Marmaton Market, the town’s lone grocery store.

“I'm going to be here until they wheel me out to the ambulance in my chair,” she said.

However, Logan is looking to hire someone to help her manage the grocery store and lighten her current workload of 60-to-80-hour weeks. That process hasn’t been easy.

“We need younger people, but we need younger people with skills,” she said. “We don't have people in the town that are young enough to work that have the skills to work, and they're not interested in learning.”

Most young people with skills, Logan said, move to larger cities where they can earn more money.

“It’s hard to find somebody with the passion to stay in a small town and work at a lower wage to make a business succeed,” she said. “It’s also tough on them to stay here too, because there’s not a lot of things for them.”

At Vitale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in Macomb, Illinois, Julie Dienst said her 86-year-old mother still comes to the restaurant each day to make the pizza sauce.

“She is really a driving force behind the restaurant too, so it’s a passion for her,” Dienst said.

The family has been running the restaurant since 1980, and while her mother is dedicated, Dienst said she’s ready to retire, along with Dienst’s older brother.

Two years ago, the family put the restaurant on the market. But Macomb, the home of Western Illinois University, has lost a quarter of its population and is facing a declining university enrollment.

Dienst said that’s made it a challenging market.

“There are already several restaurants that are empty, so having one more restaurant for sale, even though we're not closed like these other places, it's just more competition, I guess,” she said.

Dienst’s father came from Brooklyn to buy a pizzeria in a town with more room to expand. Since then, she said the family restaurant has seen generations of customers come through their doors.

“I’m waiting on the grandchildren of people I waited on when I was in high school,” she said. “It’s really hard to put on a price on that.”

This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media,</a>&nbsp;a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.&nbsp;

<h2>Many small businesses owners are planning on retiring soon, but finding buyers to keep the businesses going can be a challenge, especially in rural areas.</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719931207344.png" alt="League Builders Supply, a lumberyard and store in Stratton, Nebraska, closed at the end of 2023 after owner Denis League retired. “I’m not going to say Stratton’s going to shrivel up and die because I’m not here, but I don’t think it’s going to help anything, and I feel bad about that,” he said.&nbsp;Brian Beach/Nebraska Public Media" />
 <figcaption>League Builders Supply, a lumberyard and store in Stratton, Nebraska, closed at the end of 2023 after owner Denis League retired. “I’m not going to say Stratton’s going to shrivel up and die because I’m not here, but I don’t think it’s going to help anything, and I feel bad about that,” he said.&nbsp;Brian Beach/Nebraska Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By Brian Beach Harvest Public MediaThe town of Stratton, Nebraska, used to have two grocery stores, two barber shops and a pharmacist.But today, most of those businesses are long gone.Late last year the town’s lone lumberyard and hardware store closed, too, adding to the empty buildings in town.Owner Denis League, who is in his late 60s, spent a year trying to find a buyer. Yet none of the interested buyers could make the finances work in the tiny western Nebraska community.“You’re dealing with a pretty small base and we’re just not getting enough business here to make it interesting to anybody else, as far as anybody else wanting to buy it,” League said.Without League Builders Supply, customers now have to drive more than an hour and a half away to the nearest lumberyard.“The people that have been coming here are just going to have to go somewhere else,” League said. “But a lot of people have gotten used to not coming here anyway.”More than half of business owners are 55 years or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey. With the youngest Baby Boomers set to reach retirement age in 2030, it’s clear small business ownership will undergo a major transition. The Exit Planning Institute found in a recent study that 75% of business owners would like to exit their businesses within the next 10 years.“There's a silver tsunami coming,” said Renee Wiatt, a research specialist with the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development at Purdue University. “There’s basically going to be this mass exodus of that baby boomer age who are going to all be retiring in the next five to 10 years.”That wave is likely to hit rural areas especially hard.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719931090132.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Shrinking rural populations</h2>The village of Stratton had a population of more than 600 in 1950.Today, it’s less than half that.Many other towns across the rural Great Plains and the Midwest have experienced similar losses.Young people migrating to larger cities and leaving behind aging populations are contributing to the decline, according to Ness Sandoval, a sociology professor at Saint Louis University.“In rural areas, you tend to see more people dying than are born,” he said. “That has to do with the brain drain — young people leaving and going to college, and not necessarily coming back home.”Sandoval knows firsthand.He grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, a town of nearly 15,000 people in the state’s western panhandle.He said things have changed since he was a kid, as most businesses in the smaller towns have closed due to competition from larger retailers.“All these small businesses that surrounded Scottsbluff essentially are dead because they can't compete with a Walmart, they can't compete with Home Depot,” he said. “The margins are just too small.”Sandoval said he is concerned about the future of many rural small towns as the older generation retires without young people to replace them.“Once these Baby Boomers die and my generation, the Gen Xers die, I don’t see a lot of people moving there because they’re not the same type of communities that existed 20, 25 years ago,” he said.Yet Wiatt of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development said the wave of retirements could also bring opportunities, as well.“Most businesses fail within the first five years from when they're started,” she said. “So, if there was an opportunity like that, to come into a business that’s established and try to run it, I think it's a great opportunity for these younger individuals to take some charge there,” she said.At Advance Iowa, an organization that helps businesses with ownership succession planning, Program Manager Stacy Mullinex said there are three primary questions that need to be asked when a business owner is looking to sell their business: when they want to see, what the value of the business is and who they are going to sell to.Mullinex said the third question is where more business owners struggle.But through Advance Iowa, Mullinex focuses on an employee ownership model where existing business employees can be trained to own the operation.“A lot of times, the people that already know the business really well, that already are vested in the community, they already know the consumers and they know how the business operates and runs, that’s the employees,” Mullinex said.She advocates for the worker cooperative model, where the owner sells the business to employees and then the workers own it as a group. “It’s kind of a win-win-win of opportunity for everybody,” she said.Mullinex said the owner wins because they are provided with a feasible buyer, the employees win through increased wealth and job satisfaction through ownership, and the local community wins by keeping a business in town.However, for businesses with no employees to sell to, Wiatt said many business owners are working further into old age to keep their operations running.“The retirement age is being pushed back for a lot of these farms and small businesses and family businesses,” she said. “I think it's just getting harder and harder to quit.”<h2>Working longer</h2>In the southeast Kansas town of Moran, population 466, Marilyn Logan is adamant that she does not plan on retiring soon.Logan, who is nearing 80 years old, is the part-owner and manager of Marmaton Market, the town’s lone grocery store.“I'm going to be here until they wheel me out to the ambulance in my chair,” she said.However, Logan is looking to hire someone to help her manage the grocery store and lighten her current workload of 60-to-80-hour weeks. That process hasn’t been easy.“We need younger people, but we need younger people with skills,” she said. “We don't have people in the town that are young enough to work that have the skills to work, and they're not interested in learning.”Most young people with skills, Logan said, move to larger cities where they can earn more money.“It’s hard to find somebody with the passion to stay in a small town and work at a lower wage to make a business succeed,” she said. “It’s also tough on them to stay here too, because there’s not a lot of things for them.”At Vitale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in Macomb, Illinois, Julie Dienst said her 86-year-old mother still comes to the restaurant each day to make the pizza sauce.“She is really a driving force behind the restaurant too, so it’s a passion for her,” Dienst said.The family has been running the restaurant since 1980, and while her mother is dedicated, Dienst said she’s ready to retire, along with Dienst’s older brother.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719931304791.png" alt="The Dienst family has run Vitale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria since 1980, when Julie’s father moved from Brooklyn to buy a pizzeria in a town with more room to expand. “My dad saw it and fell in love, so we’ve been here for 44 years,” Julie said.&nbsp;Provided By Vitale’s Italian Restaurant And Pizzeria" />
 <figcaption>The Dienst family has run Vitale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria since 1980, when Julie’s father moved from Brooklyn to buy a pizzeria in a town with more room to expand. “My dad saw it and fell in love, so we’ve been here for 44 years,” Julie said.&nbsp;Provided By Vitale’s Italian Restaurant And Pizzeria</figcaption>
 </figure>Two years ago, the family put the restaurant on the market. But Macomb, the home of Western Illinois University, has lost a quarter of its population and is facing a declining university enrollment.Dienst said that’s made it a challenging market.“There are already several restaurants that are empty, so having one more restaurant for sale, even though we're not closed like these other places, it's just more competition, I guess,” she said.Dienst’s father came from Brooklyn to buy a pizzeria in a town with more room to expand. Since then, she said the family restaurant has seen generations of customers come through their doors.“I’m waiting on the grandchildren of people I waited on when I was in high school,” she said. “It’s really hard to put on a price on that.”This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media,</a>&nbsp;a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.&nbsp;

'Silver tsunami’ hitting rural America as small business owners retire without replacements

By COLLEEN TRESSLER Federal Trade Commission, Division of Consumer and Business Education

Here’s a new scam spotted on social media: appointment setting jobs. They claim you can work from home and make big money. But just what does an appointment setter do? And how can you tell the difference between a legit job offer and a scam?

An appointment setter is someone who schedules calls for a company’s sales staff and potential clients to help them close deals. You’re typically paid an hourly rate, but might earn bonuses based on the number of appointments you successfully set. If you need training, the employer should offer it at no cost to you.

Now that you know the basics, here are some ways to tell the difference between an appointment setter&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams">job scam</a>&nbsp;and a legitimate position. Scammy ads tend to promise a very high income.&nbsp;The truth is&nbsp;that real appointment setting is a normal job with a modest income.&nbsp;Scammy job offers claim you have to pay thousands of dollars upfront for training.&nbsp;The truth is&nbsp;honest employers will never ask you to pay to get a job. Scammers say they’ll guarantee you a job once you pay for training.&nbsp;The truth is&nbsp;no one can guarantee you a job. Scammers may also look more like a business opportunity than a paid position, promising you potential clients, or suggesting you recruit new people to their “job” training programs, instead of setting appointments.

Before you accept a job or&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/when-business-offer-or-coaching-program-scam#avoid">business opportunity offer</a>:

If you see a job or business opportunity scam, or lose money to one, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.&nbsp;

By COLLEEN TRESSLER Federal Trade Commission, Division of Consumer and Business EducationHere’s a new scam spotted on social media: appointment setting jobs. They claim you can work from home and make big money. But just what does an appointment setter do? And how can you tell the difference between a legit job offer and a scam?An appointment setter is someone who schedules calls for a company’s sales staff and potential clients to help them close deals. You’re typically paid an hourly rate, but might earn bonuses based on the number of appointments you successfully set. If you need training, the employer should offer it at no cost to you.Now that you know the basics, here are some ways to tell the difference between an appointment setter&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams">job scam</a>&nbsp;and a legitimate position. Scammy ads tend to promise a very high income.&nbsp;The truth is&nbsp;that real appointment setting is a normal job with a modest income.&nbsp;Scammy job offers claim you have to pay thousands of dollars upfront for training.&nbsp;The truth is&nbsp;honest employers will never ask you to pay to get a job. Scammers say they’ll guarantee you a job once you pay for training.&nbsp;The truth is&nbsp;no one can guarantee you a job. Scammers may also look more like a business opportunity than a paid position, promising you potential clients, or suggesting you recruit new people to their “job” training programs, instead of setting appointments.Before you accept a job or&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/when-business-offer-or-coaching-program-scam#avoid">business opportunity offer</a>:<ul>
 <li>Take your time and talk to someone you trust.&nbsp;Scammers will try to pressure you to get involved or risk losing out.</li><li>Do some research.&nbsp;Search online for the name of the company and words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” Check with&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/now-leaving?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.naag.org%2Ffind-my-ag%2F&amp;back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconsumer.ftc.gov%2Fconsumer-alerts%2F2024%2F06%2Fjob-scams-start-social-media-appointment-setters%3Futm_source%3Dgovdelivery">your state attorney general</a>&nbsp;for complaints. No complaints? It doesn’t guarantee that a company is honest, but complaints can tip you off to possible problems.</li><li>Read success stories and testimonials with skepticism.&nbsp;They might not be true or typical. Glowing stories of success could be fake or misleading, and positive&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-evaluate-online-reviews">online reviews</a>&nbsp;may have come from made-up profiles.</li>
 </ul>If you see a job or business opportunity scam, or lose money to one, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.&nbsp;

Job scams that start on social media: Appointment setters

MARSHALL COUNTY —Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and the Marshall County Sheriff's Office are conducting a search for a missing man from Blue Rapids, Kansas, who was last seen on the night of July 4, according to a media release from the KBI.

On Saturday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance in the disappearance of Camoran M. Shoptese, 36. Shoptese was last seen around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday at 709 Chestnut Street in Blue Rapids.

He is a Native American, approximately 6 foot 1 inch tall, 200 pounds has short black hair, brown eyes, and black tattoos covering his neck and chest. 

Investigators suspect foul play connected to his disappearance. A 2008 black Chevy Colorado may be associated with the case. 

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbi.ks.gov%2Fsar%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1e7ZL138ni69usCinvK-vm4J9bZCvL5kgab7VWmF64INP6NYuXs5Ofpac_aem_BaV1wFFE3UwONHrevYC3Jg&amp;h=AT3pGv5r88CExbjzo7m3fbz-naLw8xZZNA8_Rr2PqxVp6OPnmpOUle76PJMn3BSpk2Ku1eecc5K7vBUKmLyJLc0LJrRTgGu6yqURJH_e2sZYxKh-SbtbOkEAec-JEK5tWK_Yl-U&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT1rZVuR_5-M6b0z16gILIssnkfCfUP27JJnC-wN2yf1LI_L201xvpDB5x1SesivwvOBiD2PNF7dpKz-pge3c4Ho2i6r14jyl-oweUgJCUuPePkDeV8EUcxnhDeUpdxAjaqgMdW-iVHKKpjp9N3q_3MhYQVAAjUmddfQ0fk5QinnfZbONWCsuJUJESc6Y4cE80BgL4QGnWhUR_m9a3fOvnbvVxEosJti-P5R" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>. Rural property owners in the area are also asked to check for and report any suspicious activity they might notice on their land.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720385919016.png" alt="Camoran Shoptese-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Camoran Shoptese-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>MARSHALL COUNTY —Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and the Marshall County Sheriff's Office are conducting a search for a missing man from Blue Rapids, Kansas, who was last seen on the night of July 4, according to a media release from the KBI.On Saturday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance in the disappearance of Camoran M. Shoptese, 36. Shoptese was last seen around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday at 709 Chestnut Street in Blue Rapids.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720385898695.png" alt="Camoran Shoptese-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Camoran Shoptese-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>He is a Native American, approximately 6 foot 1 inch tall, 200 pounds has short black hair, brown eyes, and black tattoos covering his neck and chest. Investigators suspect foul play connected to his disappearance. A 2008 black Chevy Colorado may be associated with the case. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbi.ks.gov%2Fsar%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1e7ZL138ni69usCinvK-vm4J9bZCvL5kgab7VWmF64INP6NYuXs5Ofpac_aem_BaV1wFFE3UwONHrevYC3Jg&amp;h=AT3pGv5r88CExbjzo7m3fbz-naLw8xZZNA8_Rr2PqxVp6OPnmpOUle76PJMn3BSpk2Ku1eecc5K7vBUKmLyJLc0LJrRTgGu6yqURJH_e2sZYxKh-SbtbOkEAec-JEK5tWK_Yl-U&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT1rZVuR_5-M6b0z16gILIssnkfCfUP27JJnC-wN2yf1LI_L201xvpDB5x1SesivwvOBiD2PNF7dpKz-pge3c4Ho2i6r14jyl-oweUgJCUuPePkDeV8EUcxnhDeUpdxAjaqgMdW-iVHKKpjp9N3q_3MhYQVAAjUmddfQ0fk5QinnfZbONWCsuJUJESc6Y4cE80BgL4QGnWhUR_m9a3fOvnbvVxEosJti-P5R" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>. Rural property owners in the area are also asked to check for and report any suspicious activity they might notice on their land.

KBI: Foul play suspected in disappearance of Kan. man

DOMINQUE ADELINA CULOTTA, 27, Manhattan, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;; Bond $750

STEPHANIE ELLEN GAIL RUSSELL, 19, Manhattan, Criminal damage to property; Without consent value &lt; $1000; Bond $2,000

ANDREW LEE SMITH, 45, Manhattan, Probation Violation; Bond $5,000

JOHN WILLIAM THURSTON, 14, Criminal deprivation of property; Motor vehicle interference with LEO; Falsely report intending to obstruct; Processed through North Central Kansas Juvenile Intake

DAULTON D SHANNON TOWERS, 26, Fort Riley, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;; Bond $3,000

RAPHAEL RASHAAD BYRD, 38, Manhattan, Driving while suspended; 2nd or subsequent conviction; Bond $750

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.&nbsp;Arrest Report July 6:DOMINQUE ADELINA CULOTTA, 27, Manhattan, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;; Bond $750STEPHANIE ELLEN GAIL RUSSELL, 19, Manhattan, Criminal damage to property; Without consent value &lt; $1000; Bond $2,000ANDREW LEE SMITH, 45, Manhattan, Probation Violation; Bond $5,000JOHN WILLIAM THURSTON, 14, Criminal deprivation of property; Motor vehicle interference with LEO; Falsely report intending to obstruct; Processed through North Central Kansas Juvenile IntakeArrest Report for July 7:DAULTON D SHANNON TOWERS, 26, Fort Riley, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;; Bond $3,000RAPHAEL RASHAAD BYRD, 38, Manhattan, Driving while suspended; 2nd or subsequent conviction; Bond $750

Riley County Arrest Report July 6/7

PRATT&nbsp;– Exclusive access to land not normally open to hunting and above-average success rates might sound like an expensive hunting lease, but it’s not. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Special Hunts program provides hundreds of such hunts each fall and winter at no charge – all you have to do is apply and be selected.

KDWP’s Special Hunts program offers hunting opportunities with limited access to public and private lands, including select refuge areas, for deer, upland game, waterfowl, doves, turkey, and furbearers.

Available hunts can be viewed and applications submitted at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vcHJvZ3JhbXMua3NvdXRkb29ycy5jb20vUHJvZ3JhbXMvU3BlY2lhbC1IdW50cy8yMDI0LUZhbGwtV2ludGVyLUh1bnRzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcwMS45NzAyMzMxMSJ9.7v_173xwtk1jXaaUwwgXJ_HZkuQCjfbJhbw2JhHdgVY/s/1303179659/br/245072672620-l">https://programs.ksoutdoors.com/Programs/Special-Hunts/2024-Fall-Winter-Hunts</a>, and a random drawing will determine who is selected.

This fall and winter, KDWP is offering more than 350 individual “Special Hunt” opportunities&nbsp;through&nbsp;one&nbsp;draw, as opposed to multiple draws in previous years.&nbsp;The application period is open now through July 28, 2024.

Resident and nonresident hunters may apply, though some hunts are restricted to residents only. When applying online, hunters will select hunts by species, date, and category, which include “Open,” “Youth,” or “Mentored” hunts. All applicants can apply for Open Hunts, regardless of age or hunting experience. Youth Hunts require parties to include at least one hunter age 17 or younger, accompanied by an adult age 21 or older (who may not hunt). Mentored Hunts are open to youth and novice hunters supervised by a mentor age 21 or older (who may also hunt, unless otherwise specified).

Email notifications will be sent to both successful and unsuccessful applicants in mid-August. Successful applicants will also be emailed their hunt permit and other pertinent information. Hunters are responsible for purchasing necessary licenses and permits required by law. Nonresident deer hunters must have drawn a Kansas deer permit this spring to be eligible for Special Hunts for deer.

SubmittedPRATT&nbsp;– Exclusive access to land not normally open to hunting and above-average success rates might sound like an expensive hunting lease, but it’s not. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Special Hunts program provides hundreds of such hunts each fall and winter at no charge – all you have to do is apply and be selected.KDWP’s Special Hunts program offers hunting opportunities with limited access to public and private lands, including select refuge areas, for deer, upland game, waterfowl, doves, turkey, and furbearers.Available hunts can be viewed and applications submitted at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vcHJvZ3JhbXMua3NvdXRkb29ycy5jb20vUHJvZ3JhbXMvU3BlY2lhbC1IdW50cy8yMDI0LUZhbGwtV2ludGVyLUh1bnRzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcwMS45NzAyMzMxMSJ9.7v_173xwtk1jXaaUwwgXJ_HZkuQCjfbJhbw2JhHdgVY/s/1303179659/br/245072672620-l">https://programs.ksoutdoors.com/Programs/Special-Hunts/2024-Fall-Winter-Hunts</a>, and a random drawing will determine who is selected.This fall and winter, KDWP is offering more than 350 individual “Special Hunt” opportunities&nbsp;through&nbsp;one&nbsp;draw, as opposed to multiple draws in previous years.&nbsp;The application period is open now through July 28, 2024.Resident and nonresident hunters may apply, though some hunts are restricted to residents only. When applying online, hunters will select hunts by species, date, and category, which include “Open,” “Youth,” or “Mentored” hunts. All applicants can apply for Open Hunts, regardless of age or hunting experience. Youth Hunts require parties to include at least one hunter age 17 or younger, accompanied by an adult age 21 or older (who may not hunt). Mentored Hunts are open to youth and novice hunters supervised by a mentor age 21 or older (who may also hunt, unless otherwise specified).Email notifications will be sent to both successful and unsuccessful applicants in mid-August. Successful applicants will also be emailed their hunt permit and other pertinent information. Hunters are responsible for purchasing necessary licenses and permits required by law. Nonresident deer hunters must have drawn a Kansas deer permit this spring to be eligible for Special Hunts for deer.

KDWP to offer special hunting access this fall, winter through free draw

submitted by Pawnee Mental Health Services, by Maddi Ogle

Pawnee Mental Health proudly announces that it has received full certification as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This certification marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible, high-quality behavioral health services to the community.

By becoming a CCBHC, Pawnee will expand on the great work we have done over the past 67 years, with a focus on increasing access to behavioral and physical health services for people in our community. As a CCBHC, we will provide individuals with the services they need when needed—regardless of their age, insurance status, or ability to pay.

“Our certification as a CCBHC is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our staff, as well as the unwavering support of our community,” said Becky Woodward, Chief Clinical Officer of Pawnee Mental Health. “This achievement is a testament to our shared commitment to meet the diverse needs of those we serve and to make a lasting impact on their well-being.”

The CCBHC model is a comprehensive approach to behavioral health care that integrates physical health with a wide range of mental health and substance use disorder services. It is designed to cater to the needs of vulnerable individuals, taking into account all aspects of their health, including their physical and behavioral health, as well as their social determinants of health that can worsen health conditions.

Pawnee remains committed to being our region’s cornerstone and safety net provider of behavioral health services. With this new certification, we are poised to expand our reach and effectiveness, offering hope and healing to more individuals and families.

About Pawnee Mental Health Services

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675965499886.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>submitted by Pawnee Mental Health Services, by Maddi OglePawnee Mental Health proudly announces that it has received full certification as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This certification marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible, high-quality behavioral health services to the community.By becoming a CCBHC, Pawnee will expand on the great work we have done over the past 67 years, with a focus on increasing access to behavioral and physical health services for people in our community. As a CCBHC, we will provide individuals with the services they need when needed—regardless of their age, insurance status, or ability to pay.“Our certification as a CCBHC is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our staff, as well as the unwavering support of our community,” said Becky Woodward, Chief Clinical Officer of Pawnee Mental Health. “This achievement is a testament to our shared commitment to meet the diverse needs of those we serve and to make a lasting impact on their well-being.”The CCBHC model is a comprehensive approach to behavioral health care that integrates physical health with a wide range of mental health and substance use disorder services. It is designed to cater to the needs of vulnerable individuals, taking into account all aspects of their health, including their physical and behavioral health, as well as their social determinants of health that can worsen health conditions.Pawnee remains committed to being our region’s cornerstone and safety net provider of behavioral health services. With this new certification, we are poised to expand our reach and effectiveness, offering hope and healing to more individuals and families.About Pawnee Mental Health Services

Pawnee Mental Health now a fully Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—Two Kansas men avoided injury after a small plane mishap just before 5p.m. Thursday in Pottawatomie County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Cessna&nbsp;single engine fixed wing aircraft piloted by&nbsp;Mason Jay Patrick&nbsp;Camera, 22, Manhattan, was northbound on runway 36 at the Wamego Airport.&nbsp;

The pilot was attempting to perform a short field takeoff. Miscommunication between the student pilot and the instructor occurred causing the aircraft to continue northbound on the ground. 

Brakes were applied in an attempt to stop however, the aircraft continued past the runway, entered the grass and came to rest in a corn field.

Camera and a passenger David Allen Thompson, 65, Clay Center, were not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720213611356.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—Two Kansas men avoided injury after a small plane mishap just before 5p.m. Thursday in Pottawatomie County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Cessna&nbsp;single engine fixed wing aircraft piloted by&nbsp;Mason Jay Patrick&nbsp;Camera, 22, Manhattan, was northbound on runway 36 at the Wamego Airport.&nbsp;The pilot was attempting to perform a short field takeoff. Miscommunication between the student pilot and the instructor occurred causing the aircraft to continue northbound on the ground. Brakes were applied in an attempt to stop however, the aircraft continued past the runway, entered the grass and came to rest in a corn field.Camera and a passenger David Allen Thompson, 65, Clay Center, were not injured.

2 avoid injury after small plane mishap at Wamego airport

Pawnee Mental Health proudly celebrates the outstanding contributions of Alison Creager, Pamela Steinmetz, and Terri Bushey from our Recovery Services team. Their commitment to excellence sets a standard for our organization and inspires hope in those we serve. Congratulations on their remarkable achievements!

Alison Creagar, LSCSW, LMAC, has been with Pawnee Mental Health for seven years as a Substance Use Therapist within the Recovery Services team. Creagar has a bachelor's in social work from Kansas State University and a master's in social work from the University of Denver; her commitment to professional development shines through. Recently, Creagar achieved a significant milestone by completing her clinical supervision hours and passing their clinical exam, earning the esteemed title of Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW). Creager also holds a Licensed Master of Addictions Counseling (LMAC), solidifying her expertise in the field.

Creagar offers individual therapy, group therapy, and assessments in her role. When asked about her choice of joining Recovery Services, Creagar reflected, "Initially, it was because it was an open job, and I knew a few team members already. However, the real reason that I have stuck with Recovery Services is that I get to work with clients who are filled with potential. I have a lot of favorite phases in working with clients. Still, it's always exciting to me to see someone rebuilding their life and getting to support them while they're repairing relationships, rediscovering who they are sober, and doing the work to live the life they want." Her dedication stems from witnessing the profound transformations and guiding individuals toward a fulfilling life in sobriety.

Pamela Steinmetz, LSCSW, LMAC, has been an integral part of the Pawnee team since October 2019, bringing her dedication and expertise to her role. Recently, Steinmetz achieved her clinical license to become a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW). Steinmetz also holds a Licensed Master of Addictions Counseling (LMAC) and hopes to get a clinical license for addiction counseling. Motivated to expand her scope of practice and provide more comprehensive care to her clients, she views obtaining her clinical license as a gateway to diverse opportunities and professional growth. Steinmetz values the invaluable learning experience gained through her clinical supervision, where she received guidance and mentorship from seasoned clinical therapists, enhancing her skills and knowledge in the field.

Specializing as a dual diagnosis therapist, Steinmetz adeptly navigates the complex intersection of substance use concerns and mental health disorders in her practice. With the flexibility to work with either population independently or address the unique needs of clients with dual diagnoses, she demonstrates a holistic approach to therapy. Steinmetz's venture into Recovery Services was sparked by her prior position as an Adult Protective Service worker at DCF, where she closely interacted with individuals facing addiction and mental health hurdles. Empowered by her experiences in assisting this vulnerable population, she transitioned seamlessly into therapy work, driven by a steadfast commitment to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.

Terri Bushey, BA, LAC P-KCGC, a seasoned professional in the realm of addiction treatment, has been with Pawnee Mental Health for five years. With a robust background dating back to 1996, Bushey's journey in the treatment field has been remarkable. Bushey, already a licensed addiction counselor, recently achieved a significant milestone by completing training hours for certification as a problem gambling counselor—a goal she had long aspired to achieve. Motivated by the evolving landscape of addiction and the legalization of online betting in the state, Bushey seized the opportunity to expand her services, now offering comprehensive treatment for problem gambling and counseling for concerned others of problem gambling alongside substance use disorder treatment. Notably, this service is fully funded by the State of Kansas, underscoring her dedication to providing accessible and impactful care to her clients.

Driven by a relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth, Bushey pursued higher education after all five of her children completed high school. Bushey, fortunate to be connected with some of the state's leading addiction treatment professionals, chose to pursue this path with their encouraging support. "Reflecting, I harbor no regrets; despite its challenges, it's been the most rewarding and fulfilling journey I could have chosen," said Terri Bushey, Counselor.&nbsp;

"Alison Creager, Pamela Steinmetz, and Terri Bushey are exemplars of resilience and dedication. Their journey to achieving their respective milestones speaks volumes about their unwavering commitment to helping others navigate life's challenges. As they obtain their licenses and certifications, they enhance their professional prowess and embody the essence of compassionate care. Their successes are personal triumphs and beacons of hope, inspiring us all to strive for excellence in service to those in need," said Eric Martin, Recovery Services Manager.

About Pawnee Mental Health Services Founded in 1956, Pawnee Mental Health is a private, not-for-profit Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This designation enhances the organization's ability to serve the community comprehensively, ensuring that individuals receive whole-person care at the right time. Pawnee provides a full range of mental health, substance use recovery, and crisis services for residents of 10 north central Kansas counties. Approximately 7,000 adults, adolescents, and children are served annually

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720211073013.png" alt="Pawnee Mental Health Recovery Services Team members" />
 <figcaption>Pawnee Mental Health Recovery Services Team members</figcaption>
 </figure>submitted by Pawnee Mental Health Services, by Maddi OglePawnee Mental Health proudly celebrates the outstanding contributions of Alison Creager, Pamela Steinmetz, and Terri Bushey from our Recovery Services team. Their commitment to excellence sets a standard for our organization and inspires hope in those we serve. Congratulations on their remarkable achievements!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720211155789.jpeg" alt="Alison Creager, courtesy Pawnee Mental Health" />
 <figcaption>Alison Creager, courtesy Pawnee Mental Health</figcaption>
 </figure>Alison Creagar, LSCSW, LMAC, has been with Pawnee Mental Health for seven years as a Substance Use Therapist within the Recovery Services team. Creagar has a bachelor's in social work from Kansas State University and a master's in social work from the University of Denver; her commitment to professional development shines through. Recently, Creagar achieved a significant milestone by completing her clinical supervision hours and passing their clinical exam, earning the esteemed title of Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW). Creager also holds a Licensed Master of Addictions Counseling (LMAC), solidifying her expertise in the field.Creagar offers individual therapy, group therapy, and assessments in her role. When asked about her choice of joining Recovery Services, Creagar reflected, "Initially, it was because it was an open job, and I knew a few team members already. However, the real reason that I have stuck with Recovery Services is that I get to work with clients who are filled with potential. I have a lot of favorite phases in working with clients. Still, it's always exciting to me to see someone rebuilding their life and getting to support them while they're repairing relationships, rediscovering who they are sober, and doing the work to live the life they want." Her dedication stems from witnessing the profound transformations and guiding individuals toward a fulfilling life in sobriety.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720211210295.jpeg" alt="Pamela Steinmetz, courtesy Pawnee Mental Health" />
 <figcaption>Pamela Steinmetz, courtesy Pawnee Mental Health</figcaption>
 </figure>Pamela Steinmetz, LSCSW, LMAC, has been an integral part of the Pawnee team since October 2019, bringing her dedication and expertise to her role. Recently, Steinmetz achieved her clinical license to become a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW). Steinmetz also holds a Licensed Master of Addictions Counseling (LMAC) and hopes to get a clinical license for addiction counseling. Motivated to expand her scope of practice and provide more comprehensive care to her clients, she views obtaining her clinical license as a gateway to diverse opportunities and professional growth. Steinmetz values the invaluable learning experience gained through her clinical supervision, where she received guidance and mentorship from seasoned clinical therapists, enhancing her skills and knowledge in the field.Specializing as a dual diagnosis therapist, Steinmetz adeptly navigates the complex intersection of substance use concerns and mental health disorders in her practice. With the flexibility to work with either population independently or address the unique needs of clients with dual diagnoses, she demonstrates a holistic approach to therapy. Steinmetz's venture into Recovery Services was sparked by her prior position as an Adult Protective Service worker at DCF, where she closely interacted with individuals facing addiction and mental health hurdles. Empowered by her experiences in assisting this vulnerable population, she transitioned seamlessly into therapy work, driven by a steadfast commitment to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720211326171.jpeg" alt="Terri Bushey, courtesy Pawnee Mental Health" />
 <figcaption>Terri Bushey, courtesy Pawnee Mental Health</figcaption>
 </figure>Terri Bushey, BA, LAC P-KCGC, a seasoned professional in the realm of addiction treatment, has been with Pawnee Mental Health for five years. With a robust background dating back to 1996, Bushey's journey in the treatment field has been remarkable. Bushey, already a licensed addiction counselor, recently achieved a significant milestone by completing training hours for certification as a problem gambling counselor—a goal she had long aspired to achieve. Motivated by the evolving landscape of addiction and the legalization of online betting in the state, Bushey seized the opportunity to expand her services, now offering comprehensive treatment for problem gambling and counseling for concerned others of problem gambling alongside substance use disorder treatment. Notably, this service is fully funded by the State of Kansas, underscoring her dedication to providing accessible and impactful care to her clients.Driven by a relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth, Bushey pursued higher education after all five of her children completed high school. Bushey, fortunate to be connected with some of the state's leading addiction treatment professionals, chose to pursue this path with their encouraging support. "Reflecting, I harbor no regrets; despite its challenges, it's been the most rewarding and fulfilling journey I could have chosen," said Terri Bushey, Counselor.&nbsp;"Alison Creager, Pamela Steinmetz, and Terri Bushey are exemplars of resilience and dedication. Their journey to achieving their respective milestones speaks volumes about their unwavering commitment to helping others navigate life's challenges. As they obtain their licenses and certifications, they enhance their professional prowess and embody the essence of compassionate care. Their successes are personal triumphs and beacons of hope, inspiring us all to strive for excellence in service to those in need," said Eric Martin, Recovery Services Manager.About Pawnee Mental Health Services Founded in 1956, Pawnee Mental Health is a private, not-for-profit Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This designation enhances the organization's ability to serve the community comprehensively, ensuring that individuals receive whole-person care at the right time. Pawnee provides a full range of mental health, substance use recovery, and crisis services for residents of 10 north central Kansas counties. Approximately 7,000 adults, adolescents, and children are served annually

Pawnee Mental Health Honors the Remarkable Achievements of Recovery Services Team Members

MANHATTAN - The Flint Hills Discovery Center is hosting a temporary exhibit in the atrium until Tuesday, July 9th.

The American Revolution Experience&nbsp;is sponsored by the Polly Ogden Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

This innovative, pop-up exhibit includes interactive digital kiosks and display panels highlighting primary accounts, unique artifacts, and storytelling to showcase the events that shaped the birth of the United States of America.

The exhibit is also made possible by funds from the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program's battlefield interpretation grants.

The exhibit is available at no charge for visitors to explore. The rest of the exhibits at FHDC will still require paid admission to view.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720206304979.jpeg" alt="The American Revolution Experience at Flint Hills Discovery Center" />
 <figcaption>The American Revolution Experience at Flint Hills Discovery Center</figcaption>
 </figure>by BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostMANHATTAN - The Flint Hills Discovery Center is hosting a temporary exhibit in the atrium until Tuesday, July 9th.The American Revolution Experience&nbsp;is sponsored by the Polly Ogden Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.This innovative, pop-up exhibit includes interactive digital kiosks and display panels highlighting primary accounts, unique artifacts, and storytelling to showcase the events that shaped the birth of the United States of America.The exhibit is also made possible by funds from the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program's battlefield interpretation grants.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KZtiuKCUSCk?si=bbeeZScKkkW76z-h" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The exhibit is available at no charge for visitors to explore. The rest of the exhibits at FHDC will still require paid admission to view.

'American Revolution Experience' open at Flint Hills Discovery Center until July 9th

Cyberattacks on health care systems don’t just cost money. They can make it harder for clinicians to keep their patients safe.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/rachana-pradhan/">Rachana Pradhan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/kate-wells/">Kate Wells</a><a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/">The Beacon</a>

In the wake of a debilitating cyberattack against one of the nation’s largest health care systems, Marvin Ruckle, a nurse at an Ascension hospital in Wichita, said he had a frightening experience: He nearly gave a baby “the wrong dose of narcotic” because of confusing paperwork.

Ruckle, who has worked in the neonatal intensive care unit at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph for two decades, said it was “hard to decipher which was the correct dose” on the medication record. He’d “never seen that happen,” he said, “when we were on the computer system” before the cyberattack.

A May 8 ransomware attack against Ascension, a Catholic health system with 140 hospitals in at least 10 states, locked providers out of systems that track and coordinate nearly every aspect of patient care. They include its systems for electronic health records, some phones, and ones “utilized to order certain tests, procedures and medications,” the company said in a May 9 statement.

More than a dozen doctors and nurses who work for the sprawling health system told Michigan Public and KFF Health News that patient care at its hospitals across the nation was compromised in the fallout of the cyberattack over the past several weeks. Clinicians working for hospitals in three states described harrowing lapses, including delayed or lost lab results, medication errors, and an absence of routine safety checks via technology to prevent potentially fatal mistakes.

Despite a precipitous rise in cyberattacks against the health sector in recent years, a weeks-long disruption of this magnitude is beyond what most health systems are prepared for, said&nbsp;<a href="https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/pharmacy/john-s-clark-pharmd-ms-bcps-fashp">John Clark</a>, an associate chief pharmacy officer at the University of Michigan health system.

“I don’t believe that anyone is fully prepared,” he said. Most emergency management plans “are designed around long-term downtimes that are into one, two, or three days.”

Ascension in a&nbsp;<a href="https://about.ascension.org/cybersecurity-event">public statement May 9</a>&nbsp;said its care teams were “trained for these kinds of disruptions,” but did not respond to questions in early June about whether it had prepared for longer periods of downtime. Ascension said June 14 it had restored access to electronic health records across its network, but that patient “medical records and other information collected between May 8” and when the service was restored “may be temporarily inaccessible as we work to update the portal with information collected during the system downtime.”

Ruckle said he “had no training” for the cyberattack.

Lisa Watson, an intensive care unit nurse at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis hospital in Wichita, described her own close call. She said she nearly administered the wrong medication to a critically ill patient because she couldn’t scan it as she normally would. “My patient probably would have passed away had I not caught it,” she said.

Watson is no stranger to using paper for patients’ medical charts, saying she did so “for probably half of my career,” before electronic health records became ubiquitous in hospitals. What happened after the cyberattack was “by no means the same.”

“When we paper-charted, we had systems in place to get those orders to other departments in a timely manner,” she said, “and those have all gone away.”

Melissa LaRue, an ICU nurse at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, described a close call with “administering the wrong dosage” of a patient’s blood pressure medication. “Luckily,” she said, it was “triple-checked and remedied before that could happen. But I think the potential for harm is there when you have so much information and paperwork that you have to go through.”

Clinicians say their hospitals have relied on slapdash workarounds, using handwritten notes, faxes, sticky notes, and basic computer spreadsheets — many devised on the fly by doctors and nurses — to care for patients.

More than a dozen other nurses and doctors, some of them without union protections, at Ascension hospitals in Michigan recounted situations in which they say patient care was compromised. Those clinicians spoke on the condition that they not be named for fear of retaliation by their employer.

An Ascension hospital emergency room doctor in Detroit said a man on the city’s east side was given a dangerous narcotic intended for another patient because of a paperwork mix-up. As a result, the patient’s breathing slowed to the point that he had to be put on a ventilator. “We intubated him and we sent him to the ICU because he got the wrong medication.”

A nurse in a Michigan Ascension hospital ER said a woman with low blood sugar and “altered mental status” went into cardiac arrest and died after staff said they waited four hours for lab results they needed to determine how to treat her, but never received. “If I started having crushing chest pain in the middle of work and thought I was having a big one, I would grab someone to drive me down the street to another hospital,” the same ER nurse said.

Similar concerns reportedly led a travel nurse at an Ascension hospital in Indiana to quit. “I just want to warn those patients that are coming to any of the Ascension facilities that there will be delays in care. There is potential for error and for harm,” Justin Neisser&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NofGfUnptfs">told CBS4</a>&nbsp;in Indianapolis in May.

Several nurses and doctors at Ascension hospitals said they feared the errors they’ve witnessed since the cyberattack began could threaten their professional licenses. “This is how a RaDonda Vaught happens,” one nurse said, referring to the Tennessee nurse who was convicted of&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/radonda-vaught-nurse-drug-error-vanderbilt-guilty-verdict/">criminally negligent homicide</a>&nbsp;in 2022 for a fatal drug error.

Reporters were not able to review records to verify clinicians’ claims because of privacy laws surrounding patients’ medical information that apply to health care professionals.

Ascension declined to answer questions about claims that care has been affected by the ransomware attack. “As we have made clear throughout this cyber attack which has impacted our system and our dedicated clinical providers, caring for our patients is our highest priority,” Sean Fitzpatrick, Ascension’s vice president of external communications, said via email on June 3. “We are confident that our care providers in our hospitals and facilities continue to provide quality medical care.”

The federal government requires hospitals to protect patients’ sensitive health data, according to cybersecurity experts. However, there are no federal requirements for hospitals to prevent or prepare for cyberattacks that could compromise their electronic systems.

Hospitals: ‘The No.1 Target of Ransomware’

“We’ve started to think about these as public health issues and disasters on the scale of earthquakes or hurricanes,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-tully-672679102/">Jeff Tully</a>, a co-director of the Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity at the University of California-San Diego. “These types of cybersecurity incidents should be thought of as a matter of when, and not if.”

Josh Corman, a cybersecurity expert and advocate, said ransom crews regard hospitals as the perfect prey: “They have terrible security and they’ll pay. So almost immediately, hospitals went to the No. 1 target of ransomware.”

In 2023, the health sector experienced the largest share of ransomware attacks of 16 infrastructure sectors considered vital to national security or safety, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf">FBI report on internet crimes</a>. In March, the federal Department of Health and Human Services said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/03/13/hhs-office-civil-rights-issues-letter-opens-investigation-change-healthcare-cyberattack.html">reported large breaches involving ransomware</a>&nbsp;had jumped by 264% over the past five years.

A cyberattack this year on Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group’s Optum division that processes billions of health care transactions every year,&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/unitedhealth-change-healthcare-hack-cyber-cybersecurity-ransomware/">crippled the business</a>&nbsp;of providers, pharmacies, and hospitals.

In May, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty&nbsp;<a href="https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/what-we-learned-change-healthcare-cyber-attack">told lawmakers</a>&nbsp;the company paid a $22 million ransom as a result of the Change Healthcare attack — which occurred after hackers accessed a company portal that didn’t have multifactor authentication, a basic cybersecurity tool.

The Biden administration in recent months&nbsp;<a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/cyber/Documents/Health-Care-Sector-Cybersecurity-Dec2023-508.pdf">has pushed</a>&nbsp;to bolster health care cybersecurity standards, but it’s not clear which new measures will be required.

In January, HHS&nbsp;<a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/newsroom/Pages/HHS-Releases-CPGs-and-Gateway-Website-Jan2024.aspx">nudged companies</a>&nbsp;to improve email security, add multifactor authentication, and institute cybersecurity training and testing, among other voluntary measures. The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services is expected to release new requirements for hospitals, but the scope and timing are unclear. The same is true of an update HHS is expected to make to patient privacy regulations.

HHS said the voluntary measures “will inform the creation of new enforceable cybersecurity standards,” department spokesperson Jeff Nesbit said in a statement.

“The recent cyberattack at Ascension only underscores the need for everyone in the health care ecosystem to do their part to secure their systems and protect patients,” Nesbit said.

Meanwhile, lobbyists for the hospital industry contend cybersecurity mandates or penalties are misplaced and would curtail hospitals’ resources to fend off attacks.

Ascension in 2022 was the third-largest hospital chain in the U.S. by number of beds, according to the most recent data from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (Travis Heying/ KFF Health News)

“Hospitals and health systems are not the primary source of cyber risk exposure facing the health care sector,” the American Hospital Association, the largest lobbying group for U.S. hospitals, said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aha.org/testimony/2024-04-17-aha-house-statement-fiscal-year-2025-department-health-and-human-services-budget">an April statement</a>&nbsp;prepared for U.S. House lawmakers. Most large&nbsp;<a href="https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf">data breaches</a>&nbsp;that hit hospitals in 2023 originated with third-party “business associates” or other health entities, including CMS itself, the AHA statement said.

Hospitals consolidating into large multistate health systems&nbsp;<a href="https://news.utdallas.edu/business-management/hospital-mergers-hacking-2023/">face increased risk</a>&nbsp;of data breaches and ransomware attacks, according to one study. Ascension in 2022 was the third-largest hospital chain in the U.S. by number of beds, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahrq.gov/chsp/data-resources/compendium.html">most recent data</a>&nbsp;from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

And while cybersecurity regulations can quickly become outdated, they can at least make it clear that if health systems fail to implement basic protections there “should be consequences for that,”&nbsp;<a href="https://ioe.engin.umich.edu/people/bagian-jim/">Jim Bagian</a>, a former director of the National Center for Patient Safety at the Veterans Health Administration, told Michigan Public’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/stateside/2024-05-22/stateside-podcast-ransomware-attack-at-ascension">Stateside</a>.

Patients can pay the price when lapses occur. Those in hospital care face&nbsp;<a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4579292">a greater likelihood of death</a>&nbsp;during a cyberattack, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

Workers concerned about patient safety at Ascension hospitals in Michigan have called for the company to make changes.

“We implore Ascension to recognize the internal problems that continue to plague its hospitals, both publicly and transparently,” said Dina Carlisle, a nurse and the president of the OPEIU Local 40 union, which represents nurses at Ascension Providence Rochester. At least 125 staff members at that Ascension hospital have&nbsp;<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/urgent-ascension-providence-rochester-medical-professionals-demand-safety-precautions-in-hospital-amid-cyber-attack">signed a petition</a>&nbsp;asking administrators to temporarily reduce elective surgeries and nonemergency patient admissions, like under the protocols many hospitals adopted early in the covid-19 pandemic.

Watson, the Kansas ICU nurse, said in late May that nurses had urged management to bring in more nurses to help manage the workflow. “Everything that we say has fallen on deaf ears,” she said.

“It is very hard to be a nurse at Ascension right now,” Watson said in late May. “It is very hard to be a patient at Ascension right now.”

This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/">KFF Health News</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719930547420.png" alt="Marvin Ruckle, who has worked for two decades as a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at an Ascension hospital in Kansas, said confusing paperwork nearly led him to administer the wrong dose of a narcotic to a baby after the health system suffered a cyberattack on May 8. Credit: Travis Heying / KFF Health News" />
 <figcaption>Marvin Ruckle, who has worked for two decades as a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at an Ascension hospital in Kansas, said confusing paperwork nearly led him to administer the wrong dose of a narcotic to a baby after the health system suffered a cyberattack on May 8. Credit: Travis Heying / KFF Health News</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Cyberattacks on health care systems don’t just cost money. They can make it harder for clinicians to keep their patients safe.</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/rachana-pradhan/">Rachana Pradhan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/kate-wells/">Kate Wells</a><a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/">The Beacon</a>In the wake of a debilitating cyberattack against one of the nation’s largest health care systems, Marvin Ruckle, a nurse at an Ascension hospital in Wichita, said he had a frightening experience: He nearly gave a baby “the wrong dose of narcotic” because of confusing paperwork.Ruckle, who has worked in the neonatal intensive care unit at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph for two decades, said it was “hard to decipher which was the correct dose” on the medication record. He’d “never seen that happen,” he said, “when we were on the computer system” before the cyberattack.A May 8 ransomware attack against Ascension, a Catholic health system with 140 hospitals in at least 10 states, locked providers out of systems that track and coordinate nearly every aspect of patient care. They include its systems for electronic health records, some phones, and ones “utilized to order certain tests, procedures and medications,” the company said in a May 9 statement.More than a dozen doctors and nurses who work for the sprawling health system told Michigan Public and KFF Health News that patient care at its hospitals across the nation was compromised in the fallout of the cyberattack over the past several weeks. Clinicians working for hospitals in three states described harrowing lapses, including delayed or lost lab results, medication errors, and an absence of routine safety checks via technology to prevent potentially fatal mistakes.Despite a precipitous rise in cyberattacks against the health sector in recent years, a weeks-long disruption of this magnitude is beyond what most health systems are prepared for, said&nbsp;<a href="https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/pharmacy/john-s-clark-pharmd-ms-bcps-fashp">John Clark</a>, an associate chief pharmacy officer at the University of Michigan health system.“I don’t believe that anyone is fully prepared,” he said. Most emergency management plans “are designed around long-term downtimes that are into one, two, or three days.”Ascension in a&nbsp;<a href="https://about.ascension.org/cybersecurity-event">public statement May 9</a>&nbsp;said its care teams were “trained for these kinds of disruptions,” but did not respond to questions in early June about whether it had prepared for longer periods of downtime. Ascension said June 14 it had restored access to electronic health records across its network, but that patient “medical records and other information collected between May 8” and when the service was restored “may be temporarily inaccessible as we work to update the portal with information collected during the system downtime.”Ruckle said he “had no training” for the cyberattack.Back to PaperLisa Watson, an intensive care unit nurse at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis hospital in Wichita, described her own close call. She said she nearly administered the wrong medication to a critically ill patient because she couldn’t scan it as she normally would. “My patient probably would have passed away had I not caught it,” she said.Watson is no stranger to using paper for patients’ medical charts, saying she did so “for probably half of my career,” before electronic health records became ubiquitous in hospitals. What happened after the cyberattack was “by no means the same.”“When we paper-charted, we had systems in place to get those orders to other departments in a timely manner,” she said, “and those have all gone away.”Melissa LaRue, an ICU nurse at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, described a close call with “administering the wrong dosage” of a patient’s blood pressure medication. “Luckily,” she said, it was “triple-checked and remedied before that could happen. But I think the potential for harm is there when you have so much information and paperwork that you have to go through.”Clinicians say their hospitals have relied on slapdash workarounds, using handwritten notes, faxes, sticky notes, and basic computer spreadsheets — many devised on the fly by doctors and nurses — to care for patients.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719930753692.png" alt="Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph in Wichita, Kansas, one of 140 hospitals the Catholic health system operates nationwide. (Travis Heying/ KFF Health News)" />
 <figcaption>Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph in Wichita, Kansas, one of 140 hospitals the Catholic health system operates nationwide. (Travis Heying/ KFF Health News)</figcaption>
 </figure>More than a dozen other nurses and doctors, some of them without union protections, at Ascension hospitals in Michigan recounted situations in which they say patient care was compromised. Those clinicians spoke on the condition that they not be named for fear of retaliation by their employer.An Ascension hospital emergency room doctor in Detroit said a man on the city’s east side was given a dangerous narcotic intended for another patient because of a paperwork mix-up. As a result, the patient’s breathing slowed to the point that he had to be put on a ventilator. “We intubated him and we sent him to the ICU because he got the wrong medication.”A nurse in a Michigan Ascension hospital ER said a woman with low blood sugar and “altered mental status” went into cardiac arrest and died after staff said they waited four hours for lab results they needed to determine how to treat her, but never received. “If I started having crushing chest pain in the middle of work and thought I was having a big one, I would grab someone to drive me down the street to another hospital,” the same ER nurse said.Similar concerns reportedly led a travel nurse at an Ascension hospital in Indiana to quit. “I just want to warn those patients that are coming to any of the Ascension facilities that there will be delays in care. There is potential for error and for harm,” Justin Neisser&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NofGfUnptfs">told CBS4</a>&nbsp;in Indianapolis in May.Several nurses and doctors at Ascension hospitals said they feared the errors they’ve witnessed since the cyberattack began could threaten their professional licenses. “This is how a RaDonda Vaught happens,” one nurse said, referring to the Tennessee nurse who was convicted of&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/radonda-vaught-nurse-drug-error-vanderbilt-guilty-verdict/">criminally negligent homicide</a>&nbsp;in 2022 for a fatal drug error.Reporters were not able to review records to verify clinicians’ claims because of privacy laws surrounding patients’ medical information that apply to health care professionals.Ascension declined to answer questions about claims that care has been affected by the ransomware attack. “As we have made clear throughout this cyber attack which has impacted our system and our dedicated clinical providers, caring for our patients is our highest priority,” Sean Fitzpatrick, Ascension’s vice president of external communications, said via email on June 3. “We are confident that our care providers in our hospitals and facilities continue to provide quality medical care.”The federal government requires hospitals to protect patients’ sensitive health data, according to cybersecurity experts. However, there are no federal requirements for hospitals to prevent or prepare for cyberattacks that could compromise their electronic systems.Hospitals: ‘The No.1 Target of Ransomware’“We’ve started to think about these as public health issues and disasters on the scale of earthquakes or hurricanes,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-tully-672679102/">Jeff Tully</a>, a co-director of the Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity at the University of California-San Diego. “These types of cybersecurity incidents should be thought of as a matter of when, and not if.”Josh Corman, a cybersecurity expert and advocate, said ransom crews regard hospitals as the perfect prey: “They have terrible security and they’ll pay. So almost immediately, hospitals went to the No. 1 target of ransomware.”In 2023, the health sector experienced the largest share of ransomware attacks of 16 infrastructure sectors considered vital to national security or safety, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf">FBI report on internet crimes</a>. In March, the federal Department of Health and Human Services said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/03/13/hhs-office-civil-rights-issues-letter-opens-investigation-change-healthcare-cyberattack.html">reported large breaches involving ransomware</a>&nbsp;had jumped by 264% over the past five years.A cyberattack this year on Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group’s Optum division that processes billions of health care transactions every year,&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/unitedhealth-change-healthcare-hack-cyber-cybersecurity-ransomware/">crippled the business</a>&nbsp;of providers, pharmacies, and hospitals.In May, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty&nbsp;<a href="https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/what-we-learned-change-healthcare-cyber-attack">told lawmakers</a>&nbsp;the company paid a $22 million ransom as a result of the Change Healthcare attack — which occurred after hackers accessed a company portal that didn’t have multifactor authentication, a basic cybersecurity tool.The Biden administration in recent months&nbsp;<a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/cyber/Documents/Health-Care-Sector-Cybersecurity-Dec2023-508.pdf">has pushed</a>&nbsp;to bolster health care cybersecurity standards, but it’s not clear which new measures will be required.In January, HHS&nbsp;<a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/newsroom/Pages/HHS-Releases-CPGs-and-Gateway-Website-Jan2024.aspx">nudged companies</a>&nbsp;to improve email security, add multifactor authentication, and institute cybersecurity training and testing, among other voluntary measures. The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services is expected to release new requirements for hospitals, but the scope and timing are unclear. The same is true of an update HHS is expected to make to patient privacy regulations.HHS said the voluntary measures “will inform the creation of new enforceable cybersecurity standards,” department spokesperson Jeff Nesbit said in a statement.“The recent cyberattack at Ascension only underscores the need for everyone in the health care ecosystem to do their part to secure their systems and protect patients,” Nesbit said.Meanwhile, lobbyists for the hospital industry contend cybersecurity mandates or penalties are misplaced and would curtail hospitals’ resources to fend off attacks.Ascension in 2022 was the third-largest hospital chain in the U.S. by number of beds, according to the most recent data from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (Travis Heying/ KFF Health News)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719930832970.png" alt="Ascension in 2022 was the third-largest hospital chain in the U.S. by number of beds, according to the most recent data from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (Travis Heying/ KFF Health News)" />
 <figcaption>Ascension in 2022 was the third-largest hospital chain in the U.S. by number of beds, according to the most recent data from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (Travis Heying/ KFF Health News)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Hospitals and health systems are not the primary source of cyber risk exposure facing the health care sector,” the American Hospital Association, the largest lobbying group for U.S. hospitals, said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aha.org/testimony/2024-04-17-aha-house-statement-fiscal-year-2025-department-health-and-human-services-budget">an April statement</a>&nbsp;prepared for U.S. House lawmakers. Most large&nbsp;<a href="https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf">data breaches</a>&nbsp;that hit hospitals in 2023 originated with third-party “business associates” or other health entities, including CMS itself, the AHA statement said.Hospitals consolidating into large multistate health systems&nbsp;<a href="https://news.utdallas.edu/business-management/hospital-mergers-hacking-2023/">face increased risk</a>&nbsp;of data breaches and ransomware attacks, according to one study. Ascension in 2022 was the third-largest hospital chain in the U.S. by number of beds, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahrq.gov/chsp/data-resources/compendium.html">most recent data</a>&nbsp;from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.And while cybersecurity regulations can quickly become outdated, they can at least make it clear that if health systems fail to implement basic protections there “should be consequences for that,”&nbsp;<a href="https://ioe.engin.umich.edu/people/bagian-jim/">Jim Bagian</a>, a former director of the National Center for Patient Safety at the Veterans Health Administration, told Michigan Public’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/stateside/2024-05-22/stateside-podcast-ransomware-attack-at-ascension">Stateside</a>.Patients can pay the price when lapses occur. Those in hospital care face&nbsp;<a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4579292">a greater likelihood of death</a>&nbsp;during a cyberattack, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.Workers concerned about patient safety at Ascension hospitals in Michigan have called for the company to make changes.“We implore Ascension to recognize the internal problems that continue to plague its hospitals, both publicly and transparently,” said Dina Carlisle, a nurse and the president of the OPEIU Local 40 union, which represents nurses at Ascension Providence Rochester. At least 125 staff members at that Ascension hospital have&nbsp;<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/urgent-ascension-providence-rochester-medical-professionals-demand-safety-precautions-in-hospital-amid-cyber-attack">signed a petition</a>&nbsp;asking administrators to temporarily reduce elective surgeries and nonemergency patient admissions, like under the protocols many hospitals adopted early in the covid-19 pandemic.Watson, the Kansas ICU nurse, said in late May that nurses had urged management to bring in more nurses to help manage the workflow. “Everything that we say has fallen on deaf ears,” she said.“It is very hard to be a nurse at Ascension right now,” Watson said in late May. “It is very hard to be a patient at Ascension right now.”This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/">KFF Health News</a>.