TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce will host the annual Kansas International Trade Day conference on June 5 in Lawrence. The conference will feature speakers and sessions designed to help Kansas businesses start exporting or grow existing exports. The event will also feature success stories from the 2018 Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award finalists, as well as exhibits from export service providers.
The Kansas International Trade Day conference will include sessions on the following topics:
· How to Pick a Market (the How, Why and What of determining where in the world businesses should sell their goods).
· Financial Options for International Buyers (developing an understanding of financing export sales through the EXIM Bank).
· Growing Kansas’ Global Partnerships (featuring a panel of Consuls General from Canada, Mexico, China and the UK)
· Getting in Front of the Customer (marketing globally using federal and state financial assistance programs)
The conference will also feature a panel of representatives from companies that are in the running for the prestigious Governor’s Exporter of the Year award. These companies will share their success stories with advice on how to grow a successful export business in Kansas.
Registration and exhibits will open at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 5. Opening remarks will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the conference will conclude at 5:00 p.m. The conference will be held at the at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 200 McDonald Dr., Lawrence, Kansas.
The “early bird” rate to attend the conference is $50 for anyone registering prior to May 1. Those registering after May 1 will pay $75. The registration fee includes lunch. To register or learn more about the agenda, speakers and sponsorship opportunities, please visit KansasCommerce.gov/2018TradeDay.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Emergency officials say one person has died in a house fire in north Wichita.
Crews on the scene of the fatal fire-photo courtesy KWCH
The fire was reported around 6:15 p.m. Friday. Firefighters say they saw no smoke or flames coming from the home when they arrived, but encountered thick smoke upon entering the house.
Fire Chief Tammy Snow says the victim was found on the floor and removed from the house. The man was not breathing and did not have a pulse when rescued and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 7 p.m.
Authorities had not released the victim’s name by midday Saturday.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill in the Kansas House would earmark $8 million in lottery proceeds to finance state water programs.
The bill would require that $8 million in appropriations to the State Water Plan be drawn entirely from the Economic Development Initiatives Fund, which uses lottery revenue. Currently, state law requires that $6 million in general fund revenue and $2 million from the economic initiatives fund go to the water plan.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the new bill would take the entire $8 million from the EDIF.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Tom Sloan, a Lawrence Democrat, says it would require that $3 million be used by Kansas Geological Survey, Kansas Biological Survey and Kansas State University for research on maintaining a reliable supply of quality water.
Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, is the First District Kansas Congressman.
Friend,
Before you sent me to Washington D.C. I made you a promise. I told you that funding our military was a top priority for me, and after many attempts, today I can happily say Congress has fulfilled this promise. This morning we passed a two-year budget plan that will fully fund our military, this is a huge victory for our country and our national security. This budget package eliminates the caps on crop insurance policies for livestock producers and clears a pathway to speed up the Farm Bill by including citrus, dairy, and cotton fixes.
In this bill, Congress explicitly recognized our Kansas producers who suffered huge losses from blizzards and wildfires in 2017. The budget included two bills introduced by Senator Moran and I that retroactively fix payment limits for affected livestock producers. As Kansans are rebuilding following the natural disasters, I am glad that this agreement recognizes the impact of these losses and aims to help make it right.
All in all, this agreement is far from a perfect bill, but after reviewing it, I truly believe this deal has many wins for Kansans. In the video (below) I share a few of my thoughts on my vote to pass the bipartisan budget.
This week I also got to meet with the Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue (pictured above). In a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the state of the rural economy, Secretary Perdue made it very clear that he understands our farmers need certainty, especially with regard to trade agreements. Perdue described farmers as the most resilient and optimistic people in America but said the state of our rural economy was ‘fragile.’ As we get closer to work on a Farm Bill, it is critical that we continue this type of solution-based discussion where our Ag community can come together and brainstorm. At the hearing, I advocated to open up more trade markets for our farmers. It is no secret overseas that Kansas products are top quality. I want our farmers to be able to prosper while giving people what they want – GOOD QUALITY BEEF.
In the video (below) you can see my exchange with the Sec. of Agriculture.
Section 199a and Grain Sales:
One issue that many producers and rural businesses have called my office to express concerns about involves an update of so called, “Section 199a” provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While we have been hearing story after story of the benefits of tax reform, this appears to be a provision with unintended consequences for our local feedlots, dairies and grain handlers.
This week I meant with members of the Kansas Grain and Feed to discuss the need for a legislative fix that will ensure fair competition in grain purchasing. Representative Bob Gibbs, and I both questioned Secretary Perdue about the policy change during a hearing in the House Agriculture Committee hearing this week. I was glad to hear the Secretary affirm the need and support for a fix. You can see that hearing here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQweKTeDxPI&feature=youtu.be The 199a discussion starts at about the 45 minute mark.
National Prayer Breakfast:
“America is a nation of believers, and together we are strengthened by the power of prayer,” President Trump said this week at the 66th annual National Prayer Breakfast. The Prayer Breakfast is a tradition that brings thousands of people from across the globe together in the spirit of peace and unity through Christ. I was honored to attend and join the president in prayer. I think it’s important to remember the history of this annual event that was started by President Eisenhower in 1953. Read more on the Kansas history involved with this event here: https://www.facebook.com/RogerMarshallMD/posts/402735420171474
Evening Tours of the U.S. Capitol:
In closing for this week, I’d like to share with you one of my favorite things to do in Washington, evening tours of the Capitol with constituents. My staff and I guide evening tours where we discuss the architecture and reminisce about the history of our great nation. This week Laina and I had the pleasure of taking Kansas Wheat leaders on a tour.
For me as a history buff, it’s important not to forget the hard work past leaders put in to make our country the best in the world. Too often, in these hyper-partisan times we forget about our history and the pragmatic leadership it took to become the great nation that we are today. Below are some pictures from the tour, and call my office if you would like to set up a tour. We’d love for you to join us.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday in Shawnee County.
Scene of Saturday morning crash Photo by Shawn Wheat courtesy WIBW TV
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Honda Accord driven by Christopher B. Gallegos, 21, Topeka, was northbound on SW Medford Avenue at 15th Street in Topeka.
The vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree and split in half. The front section of the Honda struck a legally parked and unoccupied 1997 Subaru Legacy.
Gallegos was transported to Stormont Vail. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Cardiologist Dr. Mohammed Janif, MD; from the DeBakey Heart Institute at HaysMed, by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
Special Olympics Kansas is seeking volunteers for the state basketball and cheerleading tournament on March 16 and 17.
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Hays, and Hays Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are asking community groups, schools, organizations and individuals to volunteer for the event.
To volunteer, visit www.ksso.org. You can also contact Tim Rehder at [email protected] or Bobbi Pfeifer, Hays CVB, at [email protected].
Farmers come and join us for a “Weed Control Update Meeting” featuring K-State Research and Extension Weed Control specialists Dallas Peterson and Curtis Thompson.
Covering topics of required Dicamba applicator training for growing Dicamba resistant soybeans, weed control updates for field crops, troublesome weeds…Palmer Amaranth, Kochia, Marestail, and more! As always, there will be time for your questions and answers. In addition, Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units have been applied for.
The “Weed Control Update” is on Thursday, February 15 at the American Ag Credit Building, 5634 10th Street, Great Bend, Kansas. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. with the program kicking off at 3 p.m. and concluding at 6 p.m. with a light supper.
RSVP requested for meal count by Monday, February 12; call Cottonwood Extension Office in Great Bend at 620-793-1910, or email Brenda [email protected]
FINNEY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate missing attempted kidnapping suspect 30-year-old Oscar Bosquez Hernandez.
He is wanted for Non-Appearance for attempted kidnapping, criminal threat, domestic battery, and intimidation of a victim or witness, according to a media release from Garden City Police.
Hernandez is described as five-foot-11 and approximately 230 pounds. His last known address was 1160 E. Lakeview Drive, Garden City.
Anyone with information about Hernandez and his location, please contact the Finney County Sheriff’s Office at 620-272-3700 and ask for someone in the warrants division, or contact CrimeStoppers at 620-275-7807.
The second free hearing screening of the semester to be held in western Kansas by Fort Hays State University graduate students will be offered in Hoxie.
The screening will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16, at the Hoxie Lodge No. 348, 840 Ninth Street, Hoxie.
“The FHSU Speech-Language Hearing Clinic is continuing into its second semester of its second year of providing hearing screenings sponsored by a grant from the Kansas Masonic Foundation,” said Marcy Beougher, speech-language pathologist and an instructor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
The grant will provide numerous opportunities for older adults in western Kansas, and in some areas of eastern Colorado and southern Nebraska, to receive important health screening services that are currently scarce or difficult to access.
“This fall we had two successful screenings in St. Francis and Ulysses,” said Beougher. “Through these community screenings hosted by active Masonic lodges, we are trying to reach individuals who likely would not have access to a free hearing screening.”
The screenings will be provided by graduate students from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders under the supervision of an FHSU Herndon Clinic instructor.
Appointments may be scheduled ahead of time, but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site will have four stations, with each screening lasting approximately 15-20 minutes. Information about hearing loss and follow-up services available will be shared during the screenings. Free educational materials and earplugs will be provided by the Kansas Masons.
“The students are gaining excellent clinical experience as well as mandatory clinical hours from each screening,” she said. “We are grateful to the Kansas Masons for their support of this quality program.”
The final two screenings of the semester are tentatively scheduled for Greensburg and Syracuse.
To schedule an appointment for the Hoxie screening, contact Gary Shipley at 785-675-8586 or [email protected].
For more information, visit fhsu.edu/herndon-clinic/ or contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at 785-628-5366.
A Winter weather advisory is in effect from 3PM this afternoon until 6AM Sunday morning. Snow accumulations of 2-3 inches can be expected. Snow covered roads and limited visibilities may cause travel difficulties, use caution while driving.
Today
Cloudy and cold with snow after 3pm. High near 15. Wind chill values as low as -10. North wind 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight
Snow, mainly before 2am. Low around 6. Wind chill values as low as -5. North wind 7 to 11 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 38. Wind chill values as low as -5. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 14. Wind chill values as low as 3. South wind 6 to 8 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 46.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
KDC
Listen to Mike Cooper interviewing Cardiologist Dr. Mohammed Janif, MD; from the DeBakey Heart Institute at HaysMed, by clicking the link above and then clicking the play button
A Winter weather advisory is in effect from 3PM this afternoon until 6AM Sunday morning. Snow accumulations of 2-3 inches can be expected. Snow covered roads and limited visibilities may cause travel difficulties, use caution while driving.