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Monthly Archives: March 2026
Chamber Coffee Hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council on March 5
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 3
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter
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Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
February 27, 2026
The Property Tax Cap Assessment Protection (CAP) Amendment (SCR 1616) would limit annual assessment increases to 3% or less, a measure that cleared the Senate 30 to 10 and now moves to the House. Today there’s no cap, so rising county appraisals can dramatically raise tax bills even when mill levies stay flat. Residential values have jumped over an average of 40% in four years, with Linn County up 91%. The amendment would limit the assessment value used to calculate taxes to 3% or less growth, transfer that cap when a property changes owners, and year 2022 is the baseline because of the recent surge in values.
In 1989, the Kansas Constitution was amended to protect agriculture by moving to the current use-value system, instead of market value. This helps ensure farmers aren’t taxed off their land. SCR 1616 simply provides protection and predictability to homeowners, businesses, and agriculture. If approved by the House, voters will decide if the CAP Amendment becomes law at the ballot box on August 4, 2026. I voted yes.
Seniors In Need and Disabled Veterans property tax relief is expanded in SB 402. It passed the Senate 39‑1. I voted yes. The bill consolidates the Homestead I and II (Property Tax Freeze for seniors and disabled vets) applications into a single form. It raises the maximum home value from $350,000 to $375,000 for both programs. SB 402 updates the Homestead I household income definition to match Homestead II, Kansas Adjusted Gross Income (KAGI), which excludes Social Security so more people will qualify. The bill also makes changes to the SAFESR program, another Kansas property tax refund program. To qualify for SAFESR, taxpayers must have an income below $25,380 (adjusted each year for inflation) and be born before January 1, 1961. The bill also ensures that once a taxpayer qualifies, they cannot be kicked off the program if the homes valuation should exceed the programs’ limit.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
February Total Tax Collections at $506.3M; 10.3% Below Estimate
TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends February 2026 with total tax collections at $506.3 million. That is $58.4 million, or 10.3%, below the estimate. Total tax collections were down 7.6% from February 2025.
“February’s report reflects that revenues collected were down nearly $59 million, at the same time the Legislature is building their budget,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The Legislature should keep in mind the structural imbalance their past budget created and look to my budget for a path to rectify the unsustainable imbalance over time.”
Individual income tax collections were $205.7 million. That is $44.3 million, or 17.7% below the estimate. Individual income tax collections were down 14.1% from February 2025. Corporate income tax collections were negative $349,104. That is $15.3 million, or 102.3% below the estimate, and down 102.1% from February 2025.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $253.4 million, which is $433,844, or 0.2% above the estimate, and up 2.6% from February 2025.
Click here to view the February 2026 revenue numbers.
National Consumer Protection Week March 1-7
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Kansas Thespians Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day Topeka, KS
— On March 11, 2026 Kansas Thespians host a Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day at the Kansas State Capitol. Over 200 Students, educators, and advocates come to the Capitol from across the state to advocate for positive arts legislation and theatre programming in our schools.
As dedicated supporters of theatre, Senator Cindy Holscher, and Representative Kirk Haskins have partnered with Kansas Thespians for this day to highlight the economic impact of the arts in our communities and the importance of strong arts education in our schools. Kansas Thespians promote lifelong learning through theatre in over 100 high school and junior high Thespian troupes across the state, with over 3000 inducted students.
Their hard work has been honored numerous times at the International Thespian Festival with schools, individual students, and educators from our state being recognized for their remarkable work.
The impact of arts programming and theatre can be felt in communities across Kansas. It is estimated by the Thespians that high school theatre brings in around a million dollars in community monies which is significant to our state. Theatre students will visit with their legislators, observe legislators in action on the floor of the senate, and have a possible photo op with the Governor.
### For more information on the advocacy day, contact the Kansas Thespians Advocacy Chair, Contact: Katie Murphy Advocacy Chair Email: [email protected]
Representatives are available for interviews to speak on this issue and bring awareness to the cause.
To schedule an interview with Thespian Representatives, please contact Katie Murphy
DRAFT Schedule for Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day FROM 2025
8:30- Begin arriving. Enter through North Entrance at ground level to pass through security. Proceed to first floor to check in.
9:00- Check on first floor. Tables will be visible.
9:30 – Large group photo
10:00-12:00 – Meetings with Reps
12:00 – Go to singing positions in Rotunda ground floor. Warm up etc.
12:15- Sing in the Rotunda
12:30- 12:50- Press Conference with Senator Cindy Holscher, Representative Haskins and Advocacy Steering Committee committee member
12:50- Lunch, additional legislative appointments
2:15 Assigned schools enter the Senate Gallery.
2:30 Senator Cindy Holscher’s Point of Privilege and Proclamation.
DID YOU KNOW KANSAS THESPIANS …
- Maintains 98 active Thespian or Junior Thespian troupes.
- Has over 2900 active high school or junior high Thespian members in Kansas.
- Has numerous Thespian troupes attend The International Thespian Festival.
- Maintains 6 Student Thespian Officers who work together on the Kansas Thespian State Board.
- Holds a Kansas Thespians Festival each year with over 2300 students, teachers, and college representatives in attendance. During this time Kansas Thespians rent the entire Century II Convention Center and The Wichita Hyatt Regency, Wichita, Kansas for this three day event.
- Had an administrator recognized as Theatre Administrator of the Year by the Educational Theatre Association 2023 and 2024.
- Has an Olathe Director of Theatre selected to serve on the national Educational Theatre Association Board of Directors.
- Is recognized as a Gold Honor Chapter by The Educational Theatre Association.
- Olathe South High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2020 by The Educational Theatre Association.
- Leavenworth High School garnered first place in the nation 2020 for the Theatre in Our Schools Impact Award.
- Topeka West High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2022 by The Educational Theatre Association.
- Topeka West High School garnered first place in the nation 2022 and 2023 for the Theatre in Our Schools Impact Award.
- Topeka High School chosen as Outstanding Theatre School 2023 by The Educational Theatre Association.
Overall, Kansas has over 20,000 students involved in theatre each year with each Kansas Thespian School producing an average of five productions a year. This equates into an average of 15 performances a year per school with an average attendance of 150 people or more per show. When the math is figured,and you add the total number of performances across Kansas, we have at least a quarter of a million people watching high school musicals and plays across our great state with a box office impact of at least $1,300,000 spent on attending high school productions, not to mention spending impact on local businesses for production supplies estimated at another half a million or more.
THEATRE EDUCATION IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN MARCH
Students at Fort Scott High School Lead Community Advocacy Efforts
Students at Fort Scott High School are joining the national grassroots effort called Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) to advocate for the benefits of theatre education in schools. Members of International Thespian Society (ITS) Troupe #7365 are drawing attention to the need for increased access to quality theatre programs for all students.
To get the word out, students are participating in a number of theatre related activities. On Feb. 27 the troupe participated in community service activities at the Senior Center in downtown Fort Scott. They held a Theatre in Our Schools Month Kick-Off Party on March 1 at FSHS and presents to the USD 234 Board of Education on March 9. On March 11, the troupe travels to Topeka to meet with Thespians from across the state and Senator Tim Shallenburger and Representative Rick James to celebrate and discuss Theatre Advocacy Day in KS.
Throughout the month, the troupe will dress to represent various musicals on Musical Mondays and wear theatre-related shirts on Theatre Shirt Thursdays. They also have Improv Acting Troupe practice on Tuesdays after school and FSMS Drama Club on Fridays after school. A group of Thespians are also traveling to New York City to see Broadway shows and tour the Broadway Museum over Spring Break. To finish out the month, the troupe holds the annual FSHS Talent Show & Senior Minute to Win It at 7 p.m. on March 26. The Talent Show is open to the public and tickets are $5 at the door.
The ITS is the theatre honor society for middle and high school students. These Thespians plan and implement TIOS activities in their schools, in their communities, and with elected officials. The presentations and activities explain how theatre education positively shapes students’ lives by instilling necessary life skills. TIOS Month is an opportunity for students, parents, communities, school boards, and elected officials to come together to make theatre education more available to all students. One of the key messages is that theatre skills help students develop vital 21st-century skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, as well as social/emotional skills critical to students’ growth as young adults.
Sophomore Aimee Hardwick said, “Drama didn’t just teach me how to act, it taught me how to believe in myself. And while sometimes, I’m still quiet, it’s no longer because I feel like I have to, it’s because I choose to be. Drama isn’t just an activity, it’s my safe space, and it has changed my life.”
Isis Patton, sophomore, adds, “Theatre education helps students be creative with others and say what they think and feel. When students act, direct and put on a show they learn how to talk to people and see things from different points of view. These skills are useful when students are on stage and in life.”
Theatre in Our Schools is jointly sponsored by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). For more information about TIOS, visit schooltheatre.org/tios and follow #TheatreInOurSchools on social media.
About the Educational Theatre Association
The Educational Theatre Association is an international nonprofit that serves as the professional association for theatre educators. EdTA is the parent organization of the International Thespian Society, the honor society for theatre students that’s inducted more than 2.5 million Thespians since 1929. Additionally, EdTA operates the Educational Theatre Foundation, the organization’s philanthropic arm dedicated to broadening representation and increasing access. Visit schooltheatre.org to learn how EdTA inspires theatre educators to transform lives.
About the American Alliance for Theatre & Education
The American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE), among the most recognized arts education organizations, works to ensure that every young person experiences quality theatre arts in their lives provided by proficient, talented artists and educators. Based in Washington, DC, AATE continues to advocate for arts education, serving as a national co-sponsor of Arts Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill and on the leadership team of the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS). AATE co-authored the National Standards for Theatre Education K-12, sits on the Arts Education Partnership steering committee as well as the Arts Education National Advisory Council, and serves on the editorial board of the Arts Education Policy Review.
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Nazarene Youth Trivia Night is March 7
FSN TEENS ANNOUNCES 4TH ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT TO SUPPORT STUDENT MISSIONS AND CAMP EXPERIENCES
Fort Scott, KS — Fort Scott Nazarene Church’s student ministry, FSN Teens, is excited to host its 4th Annual Trivia Night on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 pm at 1728 Horton Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
This fun-filled evening is open to everyone and designed to bring the community together for a great cause. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just in it for laughs and fellowship, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy friendly competition while supporting FSN Teens.
Participants can register as individuals or form teams of up to six people. Entry is $10 per person or $60 per full team. Trivia will be played in rounds throughout the night, with plenty of chances to show off your knowledge. Dinner will be available for purchase, and childcare will be provided with registration.
Proceeds from the event help send students to transformational experiences, including summer camps, mission trips, and the Nazarene Youth Conference — opportunities that foster growth in faith, community, and leadership.
Local businesses and supporters are encouraged to get involved by entering a team, sponsoring a round or the entire event, donating a silent auction basket, or helping promote the night in the community. If you are interested in sponsoring the event reach out to Andrea Bryant at [email protected].
Event Details at a Glance:
📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
📍 Location: 1728 Horton Rd., Fort Scott, KS 66701
💵 Cost: $10/person or $60/team (up to 6)
📧 Contact: [email protected]
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support the next generation of leaders — gather your squad, dust off your trivia skills, and join us for a night of fun and purpose!
https://facebook.com/events/s/-4th-annual-trivia-night-/1660731478226895/
Uniontown Preschool Enrollment Is Open For Next Year
Merl Humphrey Retired From One Job, But Still Creating Photographs
Merl Humphrey retired from Farmer’s Insurance on December 31, 2025. But he is not retiring from this side gig, Merl Humphrey Photography, 5 N. Main, in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.
In 1971, he started working for Farmer’s Insurance.
“I took over an agency of H.B. Marr,” he said. “John Lewis assumed part of the agency.”
He has been working as a photographer since 1992.
“I was friends with Mike Henry, and he asked if I’d like to do weddings with him. He taught me a lot.”
“I’ve taken courses and have a pretty good working knowledge of photography. When he left town, I put up a sign in the window and started getting a lot of calls to do photography. It’s been a good support business.”
“The photography business has always been appointment only,” he said. “I also do photo restoration services. Not on the original image, but I can make a representative of what they had before.”
“I like to make photos of people in formal attire and formal settings. Also lifestyle photography. I prefer shooting indoors…generational photos, high school seniors.”
“My dad, Edward Humphrey, was a family photographer in Hume, MO. He ran the grocery store in the 1950s and 60s. It was something he did. I got the bug being in the dark room with him. It was magic.”
Future Plans For The Building
He will be reconfiguring his storefront into two parts.
The north part, with a front counter, separate office, storage, and bathroom, will eventually be for rent for a business. The dimensions are approximately 40 by 18 feet.
“Several people have been interested,” Humphrey said.
The front office space is slated for completion by summer, he said.
The south part, as one walks in the front glass door, will lead to his photography business, which has another door on the east side of the building on Old Fort Blvd.
In addition, he is working on a project to renovate the second floor of the building into an accommodation rental.
“Possibly a vacation rental or a monthly rental,” he said. It has a timeline for completion of approximately 60 days.
The building was built in the late 1800s and has been a stable, restaurant, shoe store, antique shop, and dentist’s office, he said.
Humphey can be reached at 620.223.4150 or 620.224.6843 or