News

Cartoon by David Schneider

Hays water bill set to drain county control across the state

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 1:53pm

Guest article by David Schneider The Senate committee hearing on HB 2433 took place February 26, 2026, in Room 142-S before the Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics. What struck me most about the discussion was how frequently legislators referred to it as the “Hays Water Bill”, a shorthand that underscores its origins in addressing the long-standing water needs of the city of Hays and its proposed transfer from the R9 Ranch in Edwards County. Yet, this narrow framing risks overlooking the bill’s much broader scope.

Ryan McDonald Mayor of Council Grove

MAYOR’S BRIEF

Wed, 03/11/2026 - 3:49pm

After having several 2 ½ hour council meetings, last week’s 1 hour meeting was a pleasant change. While shorter, we still managed to continue the process of making updates to our ordinances and had positive discussions on future items that will come before the body.

Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall (center) spoke to juniors and seniors on Tuesday at a forum in the CGJSHS Auditorium. Pictured with Stegall are his daughter-in-law Amber Bacon Stegall, who is a 2015 graduate of Council Grove High School and Jay

Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall presents to CG Jr/Sr High School students

Wed, 03/11/2026 - 3:49pm

Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall visited Council Grove Jr./ Sr. High School Tuesday morning, speaking with junior and senior students about the foundations of law, government, and the American constitutional system. Stegall was introduced by District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar before addressing the students as part of the Kansas Supreme Court’s outreach program. Twice each year, the justices travel across Kansas to hear a case outside the state capital and visit local schools to explain the role of the judicial system. During this trip, the court was scheduled to hear a case later that evening in Abilene.

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