Since 2022, the Knights of Columbus have hosted an annual grant cycle through the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) to benefit projects supporting various needs in Crawford County. Since inception, the Knights of Columbus grant cycle has awarded over $256,000 to vital service projects in our area!
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Knights of Columbus to create a meaningful and lasting impact in our community,” said CFSEK Executive Director Devin Gorman. “These grants open the door to new opportunities while helping address some of the most pressing needs facing local individuals and families.
Applications for the 2026 Knights of Columbus grant cycle are available online until midnight on May 31st. Any questions while completing the grant applications should be directed to CFSEK Program Coordinator Kara Mishmash at SoutheastKansas.org/Contact/Kara.
Applications are available at SoutheastKansas.org/Grant-App, and more information about the fund is available at SoutheastKansas.org/KoC.
The Knights of Columbus was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 on principles of charity, unity, and fraternity with the intent to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy and their families.
The Knights of ColumbusEndowmentFund was established in 2021 to continue those principles and be used for the following charitable purposes:
to provide housing, rent, and utility needs assistance to elderly, handicapped, and low-income families and individuals of Pittsburg, Kansas, and the surrounding area
to provide health and human services to meet the educational, social, physical, spiritual, and psychological needs of such persons
to promote the health, security, happiness, and usefulness of such persons
to improve community services for such persons
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2.8 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $28 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.
Audrey Elaine Stewart, age 96, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott. She was born August 15, 1929, in Bayard, Kansas, the daughter of Don Ewell Miller and Addie Isabelle Hutton Miller. Audrey spent her early years on the family farm near Xenia, Kansas. She went on to graduate from the Bronson High School. Audrey married Neil Stewart on December 24, 1948, at Bronson. Together they raised their four children and operated their own farm in the Fulton and Devon areas. Audrey was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She worked hard to provide for her family’s needs whether it be sewing and mending clothes or working in the family garden and canning the fruits of her labor. She also enjoyed tending her flowers. After her children had grown, Audrey worked as a file clerk for the Western Insurance until her retirement in May of 1987. Neil and Audrey eventually left the farm and moved to Ft. Scott. Audrey was a member of the Community Christian Church. In later years, she loved attending high school reunions and catching up with her old friends.
Survivors include her four children, Don Stewart (Paula), Paul Stewart, Mary Worsley (John) and Marsha Farmer, all of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister, Wanda Abbott of Lakeland, Florida. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Neil, on December 15, 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a daughter-in-law, Karen Stewart and a son-in-law, Keith Farmer. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Audrey’s hairdresser, Susan Porter, and to Cindy Hall with Community Care Connection for their kindness over the years.
Hospice Chaplin Jeff Feagins will conduct a graveside service at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 5th at the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will have a time of visitation on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. prior to the service at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Gregg Motley announces that he has filed for reelection to serve as District 4 County Commissioner to serve the constituents, elected officials and employees of Bourbon County. “The Kansas Secretary of State assigned term lengths to the two new districts created by the voters of Bourbon County. The commission gave a three-year term to the 5th District winner and I received a one-year term. Accordingly, I am running for a full four-year term to begin in 2027”
When asked what his agenda is for the coming years, Motley, responded, “The hallmark of my service during my first term has been to work for fairness for employees, to respond to constituents in a timely and meaningful manner, and to steer the commission away from political in-fighting with other elected officials and return the focus to the business of the people.” Additionally, Motley will focus his attention on returning fiscal responsibility to the county balance sheet, employing his degree in accounting, years of experience banking municipalities of all sizes, and graduate degree in management.
The budget year 2026 saw a dramatic cut in the mill levy, which many applauded, but left the county in a vulnerable position, as the cuts came at the expense of exhausting the financial reserves of the county. “Right now, we are not in a position to go to the public markets with a bond issue if we are faced with a large expenditure, such as unexpectedly replacing infrastructure such as a bridge. Local banks are reluctant to lend the county money at advantaged rates given what they are seeing. My goal is to restore financial integrity to the county by building back reserves over time and resisting any growth in the mill levy by achieving operating efficiencies.”
Many candidates speak of operational efficiency, so it is natural to wonder how this situation might be different. “We have some low-hanging fruit opportunities,” Motley explained. “We have three significant contracts for venders in Johnson County, which not only engage skillsets and software packages we already possess in the building, but also takes Bourbon County money and exports it to Johnson County. Having lived there, I know that we need that money much more than they do.”
In conclusion, Motley said, “This is a difficult position for which very few want to apply. This is a spiritual calling for me, to serve the county which gave me such a wonderful send off after a 45-year career in banking and business. I am determined to bring good governance back to the county if the voters in the 4th District will give me the chance.”
The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
There will be a planning commission meeting on 4/29/26 at 5:30 PM at 210 S National.
Bourbon County Planning Committee Agenda for Wednesday April 29th, 2026
• Pledge
• Roll
• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of minutes from April 22th
• Discuss Interview Updates
• New Business
• Public Comment
• Next Meeting and Agenda
• Adjournment
Rex Alan Brown, age 66, of Prescott, Kansas, passed away on April 25, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by hard work, craftsmanship, and deep love for his family.
Rex was born on August 10, 1959, to Everett Oscar Brown Jr. And Patricia Ann Brown. He graduated from Oak Park High School in Kansas City, Missouri. On June 30, 1978, he married Brenda Sue Thurston, and together they shared 47 years of marriage and built a life centered around family.
He is survived by his children, Jason Brown (Nicole) of Prescott and Katie Hueston (Kenny) of Redfield; his grandchildren, Madison, Curtis, Carlie, and Macie; and his great-grandchildren, Dawson and Liam Sterling.
A proud third-generation Union Ironworker with Local 10, Rex spent nearly his entire career helping shape the Kansas City skyline, including work on the T-Mobile Center, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City Star and numerous power plants. He also had the honor of setting the point on the tallest building in Kansas City.
Rex and Brenda owned Fox Run Bar in Fulton, Kansas, for nearly two decades, where he enjoyed playing pool and making lasting memories with friends and family. Outside of work, he loved fishing, traveling, and seeing new places, and he was known for giving the best hugs.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda, and his parents.
Rex will be remembered for his strength, his work ethic, and the love he had for his family.
There was cremation. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, May 4th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time Monday at the funeral home. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
The USD 234 Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Board Office, 424 South Main, Fort Scott.
Agenda
Call Meeting to Order – David Stewart, President
Flag Salute
Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
Other Business – Personnel Matters
Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
April 27, 2026 at 5:30 PMBourbon County Commission
Approval of Minutes 04.13.26 and 04.20.26
Commissioner Samuel Tran had a problem with the minutes for 4/20/26, asking for a paragraph to be removed as the event happened in recess and should not be in open records.
Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee said the minutes are becoming “subjective again,” particularly on the topic of payroll, and asked to hold the April 20th minutes until they include her own comments in a more extensive manner. County Clerk Susan Walker asked Milburn-Kee for a written copy of her comments to include in the record. Motion carried.
Tran moved that the changes they asked for be made to the minutes of the April 13 meeting. Motion carried.
Approval of Accounts Payable 04.24.26 $103,573.61
Milburn-Kee said that Baker Tilly should be charged to the finance budget, not the commission, and the TEC invoice that was charged to the IT budget should be charged to the clerk’s office tech fund.
County Clerk Susan Walker asked to speak and was ignored.
Approval of March 2026 Financials
Milburn-Kee asked what they are approving. Walker explained that the financials show the balances the county has and they are required to to publish the first quarter’s amounts.
Commissioner Gregg Motley said he doesn’t know why anyone would oppose publishing financials as that is part of a commissioner’s duties.
Motley said he had read the whole item. Commissioner Joe Allen said he looked it over and it was extensive. Milburn-Kee said she needed more time to look it over.
Walker said that the financials would be published without Tran’s signature if necessary.
“Jennifer [County Treasurer] and I will not be in violation…we will do our duty,” she said.
Tran said they had 4 days to go over the 1566 pages.
Motley pointed out that all the details don’t have to be published, just the summary of simple fund accounting and the commission had already approved the expenditures. “I’m failing to see what the problem is,” he said.
“Can we just dispense with the hostility and do our duties, please?” he asked.
Immediately, Tran asked him who was being hostile.
“Everything that the clerk has done has been opposed,” Motley responded.
Beerbower moved to approve and publish the financials. Motion passed with Tran and Milburn-Kee opposing.
Public Comments
Michael Hoyt: Executive Sessions
Hoyt pointed out that KSA 7519(b)1 (the regulation that permits executive session) pertains to individual non-elected personnel, not departmental policies and practices for those personnel, as he said the commission had been using it.
He said he would bring a script for them to go by for making proper executive session motions.
Anne Dare: PayEntry
Dare is concerned that only one admin handling CIC and PayEntry does not provide the checks and balances needed. She asked the commissioners to regularly review the processes required to use CIC and PayEntry.
Planning Commission – Milburn-Kee
Wants an all-encompassing and growth-focused package from the firm hired by the planning commission.
Tran said he read over each of the proposals of the companies under consideration by the planning commission and agreed with Milburn-Kee’s position.
Meeting Resolution – Milburn-Kee
The resolution includes keeping every other meeting minimal to allow for work sessions.
Beerbower and Motley both expressed that the workload the commission handles is too great to finish it by only holding full meetings every other week. Allen agreed.
This resolution repeals resolution 36-25 and defining meeting times, work sessions, and payroll and AP approvals.
Motion passed with Motley voting against.
City of Fulton – Milburn-Kee
Fulton had joined with Bourbon County to file with FEMA for the most recent large flood. Former public works director Eric Bailey said that FEMA is supposed to send near $1 million for the flood, but someone has to keep after it.
Fulton is asking Bourbon County to come repair some of the flood damage to their roads.
Tran asked Kenny Allen, public works director, if his team can take on the project. Allen said he can take care of it.
Dustin told Allen that Fulton would have had to do their own paperwork to obtain a FEMA reimbursement. The $1.5 million that Bailey mentioned was an estimate and the $600,000 the county received is all they are going to get. Some of what they filed for was turned down as maintenance.
Department Updates
County Clerk, Susan Walker
Walker asked that a security camera for the election equipment and postage machine be replaced as it’s a security issue and required by the Secretary of State. She said the courthouse maintenance was denied a replacement. She has a camera but it needs to be installed.
Milburn-Kee and Tran said that several cameras in the county are in need of replacement.
“We do not have a lot of money in our equipment funds,” said Walker. “If we are expected to have to start paying for telephones and internet, then we will have to come and ask for more money during this budget season.”
Walker said that previously the phones have been part of the building proper.
Milburn-Kee said they had a discussion about the cameras in the past. She also said that Stronghold’s report claims the county’s cameras are illegal.
Tran said there’s no county-wide camera protocol and it’s time for them to make a audio-visual policy. He expressed concern about a hodge-podge of electronic equipment.
Beerbower suggested consulting with Stronghold or another security agency to determine what’s needed.
Allen suggested doing a quick fix for the clerk’s need for now and create a policy going forward.
Beerbower moved to bring Stronghold to the county commission meeting next week to find out what’s needed.
Motion carried.
Old Business
Vacation & Sick Leave Resolution – Beerbower
He started the resolution when there was a full-house of employees with problems with the vacation and sick leave hours.
“I believe that our employees need the best that we can offer them,” said Beerbower.
Since the resolution was tabled last week, he has received input from the community.
One question he received just before the meeting dealt with the grandfather clause. Right now, 480 hours is the current cap on sick leave hours, but about 10 employees have more than that saved already.
Milburn-Kee asked Allen his opinion about the handbook policies. Allen said he is comparing the county policy to the one he is familiar with through the school system. The main issue he has is the number of employees who had a problems with hours going missing.
Beerbower went over his resolution.
Milburn-Kee asked about paying out sick leave at full value, suggesting they stay with the policy of paying out sick leave at 25%. Beerbower said he was in agreement with that.
Allen said he wants to hear from department heads about their concerns with the cost of adopting the resolution.
Milburn-Kee asked why they are discussing the resolution if all the problems of accrual and employment start dates have been addressed. She said it will be “a nightmare” for the payroll lady and it is unnecessary to “flip the whole thing on its head.”
Motley made a motion to carry over the leave balances as of 12/31/25 and follow resolution 51-25, which is essential the grandfather clause in Beerbower’s resolution.
Beerbower seconded.
During discussion he said that he proposed his resolution as a work in progress and welcomed input from the commission, but what he got was opposition.
Motley completely agreed with Beerbower and said his motion is a bandaid to start. He encouraged Beerbower to keep working on his resolution.
Allen said he agrees with the idea of restoring employees to the time they had as of Dec. 31, 2025.
Tran said he finds it interesting that the product isn’t finished but there’s a motion on the table. It compared it to Nancy Pelosi saying “vote for the bill and you can read it afterward.”
After reading his detailed objections and potential problem scenarios for 12 minutes, Tran said that while he believes Beerbower’s intentions and integrity are good, the problems need to be corrected correctly to avoid the same problems going forward.
Beerbower said that he had received 9 of the AI-generated pages that Tran went over prior to the meeting. However, some of the problems the document cites refer to non-existent sections of Beerbower’s resolution.
Beerbower said that the employees have been force fed the current system and his resolution fixes that.
Video feed cut out.
When it came back, Motley called for a vote on his motion to restore benefits to the Dec. 31, 2025 levels. Motion carried with Tran voting against and Milburn abstaining.
Beerbower moved to set a work session for the commission, supervisors, and department heads to discuss in more detail his resolution for 5:30, May 11. Motion carried.
2025 Kanren Invoice – County Clerk
Walker said that the bill is generally paid through tech funds. It’s a bill from 2025. The services are for Zoom. Milburn-Kee will find out if the service is still in use in the county.
Discussion on $10,000 for legal action
Motley said there was nothing new to discuss.
Milburn-Kee asked who the county will hire and who their point of contact will be.
Motley said he hasn’t been given the authority to hire anyone, but they have ordered some title work done by Security First Title, yet to be paid, and asked for a legal opinion of it.
Tran said that nobody at the table can act unilaterally.
Beerbower motioned that Motley be the point of contact on the title work. Motion passed with Tran and Milburn-Kee voting against.
New Business
Landfill Hours of Operation – Milburn-Kee
Took a call from a constituent who was turned away from the landfill during open hours.
She moved that the gates of the landfill not be closed until the official stated operating hours end: 8-4, Monday-Friday, 8-12 Saturday.
Kenny Allen, Public Works Director, explained that the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) says not to take anything on the scale until 8:15 and to close the scale at 3:45. That allows the employees time to warm up their machines and to shut down operations and move money to the courthouse at the close of the day.
Beerbower said that the SOP has already been approved by the commission, and no changes should be made based on one person’s experience.
One landfill employee spoke with the commission and said that the best solution would be to be willing to pay overtime to the landfill employees so they can stay later to unload a truck or trailer that comes in just before closing.
Beerbower suggested posting more precise hours allowing for the times needed to close down operations.
Every load that comes to the transfer station is supposed to be in a bag, secured, or tarped.
Motion carried.
Hay Bid for Native Road – Presented Late
Bid for $100 by Patrick D. Murphy was accepted.
SEK Area Agency on Aging – Tran
Tran asked for another member of the board to take on representing Bourbon County Commission at the SEKAAA as he is unable to attend the meetings.
Commission Comments
Joe Allen: Attended the Fourth Grade Conservation Day at the Extension Office was a great success.
David Beerbower: Read a statement referring to the first amendment, saying it applies to county employees too and that no elected officials have the right to stop them from speaking up. He supported open communication and said he plans to bring future motions to further strengthen open communication at the county.
Gregg Motley announces that he has filed for reelection to serve as District 4 County Commissioner to serve the constituents, elected officials, and employees of Bourbon County.
“The Kansas Secretary of State assigned term lengths to the two new districts created by the voters of Bourbon County. The commission gave a three-year term to the 5th District winner and I received a one-year term. Accordingly, I am running for a full four-year term to begin in 2027.”
When asked what his agenda is for the coming years, Motley, responded, “The hallmark of my service during my first term has been to work for fairness for employees, to respond to constituents in a timely and meaningful manner, and to steer the commission away from political in-fighting with other elected officials and return the focus to the business of the people.”
Additionally, Motley will focus his attention on returning fiscal responsibility to the county balance sheet, employing his degree in accounting, years of experience banking municipalities of all sizes, and graduate degree in management.
The budget year 2026 saw a dramatic cut in the mill levy, which many applauded, but left the county in a vulnerable position, as the cuts came at the expense of exhausting the financial reserves of the county.
“Right now, we are not in a position to go to the public markets with a bond issue if we are faced with a large expenditure, such as unexpectedly replacing infrastructure such as a bridge. Local banks are reluctant to lend the county money at advantaged rates given what they are seeing. My goal is to restore financial integrity to the county by building back reserves over time and resisting any growth in the mill levy by achieving operating efficiencies.”
Many candidates speak of operational efficiency, so it is natural to wonder how this situation might be different.
“We have some low-hanging fruit opportunities,” Motley explained. “We have three significant contracts for venders in Johnson County, which not only engage skillsets and software packages we already possess in the building, but also takes Bourbon County money and exports it to Johnson County. Having lived there, I know that we need that money much more than they do.”
In conclusion, Motley said, “This is a difficult position for which very few want to apply. This is a spiritual calling for me, to serve the county which gave me such a wonderful send off after a 45-year career in banking and business. I am determined to bring good governance back to the county if the voters in the 4th District will give me the chance.”
Flint Hills Technical College is seeking a full-time instructor for the Automotive Technology program, located in LaHarpe, KS, beginning with the Fall 2026 semester.
The successful candidate will have knowledge of the principles of operation for fundamental concepts of at least half of the following subjects:
Automotive Engines
Automotive Brakes
Electrical
Engine Performance
Automotive HVAC
Steering and Suspension
Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles
Manual Power Trains
Qualifications:
Associate’s Degree in related field required (or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe); Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Minimum of two years’ work experience in the automotive field or two years of teaching experience in automotive education.
ASE Certifications in instructional areas (or ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe).
Strong communication skills – both verbal and written
A Kansas teaching certificate is not a requirement for this position.
Salary and Benefits:
Full-time, 9-month position
A competitive salary range of $40,000-$54,000, commensurate with experience and education level
KPERS retirement plan
Employer-paid health insurance for the employee
Annual salary is distributed over 12 months
Flexible teaching schedule.
Application Process:
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, unofficial college transcripts, and contact information for three professional references to Human Resources at [email protected].
The FHTC Board of Trustees reserves the right to withdraw positions prior to being filled.
Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.
Chairing Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing with Commerce Secretary Lutnick On Wednesday, as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS), I led a hearing with Secretary Howard Lutnick to discuss the President’s FY27 budget request for the Department of Commerce. I questioned Secretary Lutnick on the status of the department’s efforts to implement the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, as well as its plan to utilize the program’s $21 billion in leftover allocations. I also emphasized the importance of these allocations being spent for the purposes of deploying broadband services across the U.S. to customers who would not otherwise be served.
During the hearing, I also asked Secretary Lutnick about the department’s efforts to modernize the NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite system to improve NOAA’s ability to provide accurate, lifesaving weather forecasting and monitoring data. Following the recent severe weather that has impacted communities across Kansas, I spoke to Secretary Lutnick about the importance of maintaining full staffing and 24/7 weather monitoring at National Weather Service (NWS) offices around the country to provide critical public safety information to communities. I also highlighted for the Secretary the important work being done at Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus through their pilot training program partnership with the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, preparing the next generation of students for careers operating aircraft for scientific research and environmental surveying.
You can watch my opening remarks here, as well as my questioning of Secretary Lutnick here and here.
Discussing USDA FY27 Budget Request with Secretary Rollins On Wednesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture to discuss UDSA’s operations and the department’s FY2027 budget request. I spoke with her about the importance of continuing to fund international food aid programs such as Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program, which use American-grown commodities to feed the hungry worldwide. We also discussed my efforts to move Food for Peace permanently to USDA, and how the department is temporarily taking on the program.
We also spoke about the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, or NBAF, and how Congress can work with the administration to make certain full operation and staffing of the facility is achieved in a timely manner. Last November, I urged USDA to pursue an exemption from the federal hiring freeze to hire necessary staff at NBAF. I am pleased that they responded to this call and are working to make certain NBAF is ready to take on the mission of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.
We discussed the work USDA is doing to increase fertilizer access for producers, and I emphasized the importance of Congress and the administration working to help lower the cost of inputs. Finally, I asked that Secretary Rollins and USDA continue to engage with her colleagues in the administration to quickly finalize the 45Z tax credit to allow farmers and fuel producers to benefit from the production of biofuels made from home-grown feedstocks.
I appreciate Secretary Rollins appearing before the committee, and I look forward to working with her and USDA throughout the appropriations process and this year on ways to benefit rural America.
You can watch my questions to Secretary Rollins here.
Read more about my conversation with Secretary Rollins in The Topeka Capital Journal here.
Questioning HHS Secretary Kennedy on Bolstering Rural Health Care
This week, I participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) hearing with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. to discuss the challenges facing our nation’s health care system and efforts to support rural health care.
During the hearing, I emphasized the workforce shortages that continue to impact hospitals in Kansas and across the country. I have visited every hospital in Kansas, and in my conversations with health providers, the most consistent challenge they face is the ability to recruit and retain doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. This issue is especially pronounced in rural communities, where access to care often depends on having the workforce in place to keep hospital doors open.
In my questioning, I also highlighted the Rural Health Transformation Program, which I worked to establish through the Reconciliation Bill. This program provides an opportunity for states like Kansas to invest in long-term solutions that strengthen the health care workforce, expand access to care and support rural providers.
In addition, I highlighted our work as part of the bipartisan 340B Working Group to find a path forward that strengthens and sustains the program for the patients and providers who rely on it. I will continue working to support policies and investments that help address workforce shortages and make certain Kansans have access to quality health care close to home.
You can watch my questioning of Secretary Kennedy here.
Questioning U.S. National Guard Leadership on KC-135 Tanker Fleet Modernization
On Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense heard testimony from General Steven Norsdhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Lieutenant General Robert D Harter, Chief of the Army Reserve; Rear Admiral Richard Lofgren, Acting Chief of the Naval Reserves; Lieutenant General Leonard F. Anderson IV, Commander of the Marine Corps Reserve; and Lieutenant General John P. Healy, Chief of Air Force Reserve.
I questioned General Nordhaus about the KC-46A mission and the Air Force’s plans to replace the KC-135 with the more modern KC-46A. Currently, the KC-135 is based at the 190th Air National Guard Refueling Wing in Topeka. The KC-135 is an aging fleet; most aircraft are over 60 years old. As the Guard and Reserve forces are becoming increasingly relied upon for both homeland and international missions, we must supply our Guard and Reserve forces with the necessary equipment to support the joint force.
As a senior member of the subcommittee, I look forward to working with my colleagues and the National Guard and Reserve leadership to best equip the Guard and Reserve with resources that allow them to mirror their active-duty counterparts and defend our country.
I continue to monitor developments in the Persian Gulf. President Trump this past week extended the original two-week ceasefire as efforts continue to resume direct negotiations while the United States maintains the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the blockade, the extension of sanctions waivers on Russian oil sales is a mistake. The relief for American consumers is minimal, and it enriches the Kremlin at a time when Moscow had begun to feel economic pressure during its war against Ukraine. Further, I am concerned by reports of significant drawdowns in key munitions during this war that could leave our country unprepared to fight a sustained war elsewhere. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, my colleagues and I have sought to address this problem by strengthening our defense industrial base and increasing the speed of munitions output. It remains imperative that the administration provide Congress with up-to-date information on the war’s progress and the path to a durable peace.
The U.S. Needs Our NATO Allies Now More Than Ever
The ongoing U.S. military operation in Iran has created numerous consequences for both the U.S. and our NATO partners in Europe. High gas prices, heightened security threats and stalled trade through the Strait of Hormuz have led to frustrations that extend far beyond our borders.
Alliances are never free of frustrations as each member country prioritizes its own interests and foreign policy. But we should be careful to not overlook the ways our allies are quietly assisting the U.S. in the conflict against Iran.
The U.S. is stronger because of the willing and able partners in Europe with whom our global interests largely align. At a time when our nation’s own budgetary pressures and backlogged industrial base limit our ability to sustain force in multiple theaters simultaneously, we cannot afford to take them for granted. Indeed, we need them now more than ever and should treat them accordingly — as the valued allies they are.
Discussing Haskell University with Interior Secretary Burgum I met with Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum this week to discuss the future of Haskell Indian Nations University and how we can work together to provide long-term stability at the university. I emphasized the need for consistent leadership and highlighted my legislation to transition Haskell’s governance to a Board of Regents, which would strengthen accountability and continuity. I also encouraged the department to engage more directly on this effort and to support robust funding for Haskell in the upcoming budget cycle. I appreciate Secretary Burgum for meeting with me to discuss this important topic.
Receiving an Update from Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche
This week, I spoke with Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) priorities, including the importance of timely FY26 grant funding for Kansas law enforcement entities that rely on these resources to keep their communities safe. We also discussed the opportunity to establish a federal law enforcement training facility in Kansas, and I encouraged continued engagement from DOJ leadership to keep this effort moving forward. Thank you to Acting Attorney General Blanche for the conversation. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, I look forward to working with him and DOJ on continuing to support law enforcement in Kansas and across the country.
God of Grace and Glory
Appreciated this hymn from church on Sunday.
Lo’ the hosts of evil ’round us,
On Thy people pour your power,
Crown Thine ancient Church’s story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower
Cure Thy children’s warring madness,
Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness,
Rich in thing and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
Now Accepting 2026 Service Academy Applications
Applications are now open for students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2031. One of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator is appointing Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
For the list of requirements and to apply, you can visit my website here. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on September 18, 2026. After applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of interviews with my Service Academy Selection Board.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
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Pittsburg
306 N. Broadway, Suite 125 (rear entrance of bank)
P.O. Box 1372
Pittsburg, KS 66762
Phone: (620) 232-2286
Fax: (620) 232-2284
