Emily Brandt, a Beloit senior majoring in political science at Fort Hays State University, has been named by Campus Compact as a winner of a 2017 Newman Civic Fellows Award. She is also president of FHSU’s Student Government Association.

Campus Compact is a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education. The award honors the late Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders and an advocate for the civic engagement of higher education.

“I have learned through leadership roles that every position of leadership comes with its own challenges, but that it is a privilege to serve others,” said Brandt. “I use my privilege, as a leader, to be a voice for those who do not have one, to be their advocate in political arenas that they may not have access to. My passion for civic engagement reaches past the classroom and my role as student body president. It gives weight to marginalized voices and ensures their needs are met.”

In total, 273 students from Campus Compact members in 39 states and Washington D.C. were nominated by their universities’ presidents or chancellors this year and are being honored with the award.

For 2017, the fellowship has been redesigned to emphasize personal, professional, and civic growth, said Campus Compact in a news release announcing the award winners. The fellowship provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

A complete list of the 2017 Newman Civic Fellows and more about Brandt can be found at https://compact.org/newman-civic-fellow/.

About Campus Compact
Campus Compact is a nonprofit coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents — representing some 6 million students — who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. As the only national association dedicated to this mission, Campus Compact is a leader in building community engagement into campus and academic life. For more information, visit www.compact.org or follow @Campus_Compact on Twitter.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have sustained Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s veto of a bill that would have expanded the state’s Medicaid program.

The House voted 81-44 Monday to override the veto shortly after the conservative governor announced it. Backers of the measure fell three votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary to overturn a veto.

The bill would have extended the state’s health coverage for the poor, disabled and elderly under former President Barack Obama’s health care law to cover up to 180,000 more adults.

Brownback is a critic of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

He argued in his veto message that expanding Medicaid would burden the state with what he called “unrestrainable” costs. Supporters said it would be a net plus for the state.

In northwest Kansas, Reps. Eber Phelps, D-Hays, and Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, voted in favor of the override. Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, voted against.

The Ellis County burn ban has been temporarily lifted in unincorporated areas of the county.

Meagan Carver, Administrative Assistant with Ellis County Fire Dpt. & Emergency Management said residents wanting to burn will need to call the Dispatch Center at 785-625-1011.

SUBMITTED

For the sixth consecutive year, the Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo will take place at the Expo Complex 2.5 miles west of Great Bend with more than 700 exhibitors from all over the U.S. and Canada. From April 5-7, 2017 the massive agricultural exposition will draw thousands of spectators to the Great Bend community, where many will stay in hotels and dine in local restaurants. “Great Bend is ideal for a show like this, because of our deep roots in the farming and ranching industries,” says 2017 Show Chair Jan Westfall. “We have an ideal facility with three large buildings and easy access for exhibitors, plus being centrally located in the state helps us draw a bigger crowd. And the 200 plus volunteers that give of their time to help at the show are really what make this event possible.”

The Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo will be held Wednesday through Friday, April 5-7, 2017 open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. In addition to countless exhibits and demonstrations for farmers and ranchers, there are also a number of attractions that will appeal to consumers, homeowners, and the general public. “Many of the inside exhibits are from local businesses in the home improvement and consumer sectors, plus all the delicious concessions make for a great time for the whole family,” Westfall says. “We invite businesses around town to do something special to welcome these visitors, and thank our exhibitors for helping us put on a world class farm show.”

Spectators can look forward to daily presentations from K-State Research & Extension at 11:30 a.m. in Expo III, along with appearances from bull riding entertainer Dale Brisby on Thursday and Friday at 1 p.m. in Expo III. Other attractions include horse training demonstrations from JD Wing, AI chute side demonstrations, cattle dog demonstrations, and lots more. KSN News will be broadcasting live from the farm show all three days, giving a glimpse of our community to news viewers from all over the state. An indoor beer garden and thousands of dollars in freebies and giveaways are all part of the fun. Admission and parking are free to the public.

The Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo is a proud member of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development. The Expo is brought to you by these fine sponsors: KSN, the Great Bend Co-op Association, and The American Hat Company. For more information, contact the show office at (866) 685- 0989, cell (785) 332-6506, or visit the show website: www.greatbendfarmandranchexpo.net.

HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS:
Wednesday, April 5th
Show Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Daily – Horse Training Demonstrations feat. JD Wing at 9:00, 11:00, 2:00 & 4:00
Daily – Stock Dog Demonstrations (Infield) at 10:00 & 2:00
10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies (Expo III)
11:00 a.m. Beer Garden Opens (Expo III)
12:00 p.m. K-State Speaker Dan O’Brian

Thursday, April 6th
Show Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Daily – Horse Training Demonstrations feat. JD Wing at 9:00, 11:00, 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00
Daily – Stock Dog Demonstrations (Infield) at 10:00 & 2:00
10:30 a.m. K-State Speaker Dr. Ingrid Garrison
11:00 a.m. Beer Garden Opens (Expo III)
11:30 a.m. K-State Speaker Sarah Zukoff
1 p.m. The Legendary Dale Brisby
2:30 p.m. Ebert Ranch Chute Side A.I. Demo’s

Friday, April 7th
Show Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Daily – Horse Training Demonstrations feat. JD Wing at 9:00, 11:00, 2:00 & 4:00
Daily – Stock Dog Demonstrations (Infield) at 10:00 & 2:00
11:00 a.m. Beer Garden Opens (Expo III)
11:30 a.m. K-State Speaker Anita Dille
1 p.m. The Legendary Dale Brisby