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What’s Happening in Fort Scott May 1 Edition
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall Weekly Press Overview, April 27-May 1, 2026
Senator Marshall Drops Bill to Cut Fertilizer Costs for American Farmers
Washington – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), introduced the Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act, legislation to lower the cost of fertilizer for American farmers. The bill would eliminate tariffs and countervailing duties (CVDs) on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco, delivering direct relief to American farmers crushed by rising input costs.
“Kansas farmers are getting hit by a fertilizer market that’s working against them,” said Senator Marshall. “Phosphate is a critical nutrient for crop production, and right now farmers are paying prices that threaten their bottom line. This bill removes duties that are driving up costs for farmers, and puts money back in the hands of the people feeding this country.”
This legislation is part of Senator Marshall’s wider effort to cut the cost of production for Kansas farmers. It builds on last month’s Homegrown Fertilizer Act — which expands American production and storage — and follows up years of efforts in the Senate to designate phosphate and potash as critical minerals.
Click here to learn more.
Senators Marshall & Whitehouse Introduce Bill to Fix Medicare Advantage for Seniors
Washington – On Monday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) introduced the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation designed to reform Medicare Advantage and ensure Kansas seniors receive the reliable, patient-centered care the program promises. Medicare Advantage now serves more than half of all Medicare beneficiaries—and that number is growing. But as enrollment has surged, so have reports of delayed approval, surprise denials, confusing appeals processes, and disruptions to care that seniors depend on.
This bill requires standard prior authorization approvals in 72 hours, expedited decisions in 24 hours, and even real-time approvals in some cases. Once care is approved, plans cannot require new authorizations mid-treatment or retroactively deny coverage (except for fraud or error). It also requires public reporting of prior authorization standards to increase accountability, while no longer allowing stricter medical necessity standards than those of original Medicare.
Click here to learn more.
Senator Marshall Introduces Bill to Free Small Businesses from Intrusive Reporting
Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) in introducing a bill to reform the Corporate Transparency Act by narrowing its scope to foreign businesses, preventing the Treasury Department from collecting U.S. small business owners’ personal information, and saving small businesses billions of dollars.
Specifically, the legislation will narrow enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act to foreign companies, stop the collection of Americans’ data, and require the government to delete any personal data it has already collected from Americans. As a result, the legislation will save taxpayers an average of $9 billion per year and U.S. small businesses $6.7 billion over 10 years.
Click here to learn more.
Throughout 2025 and into 2026, Senator Marshall engaged directly through letters and meetings with the Department of War, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, DHA leadership, and Fort Riley officials through to ensure Kansas voices were heard on this topic and secure an on-site DHA assessment as well as advancing provisions in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act to strengthen coordination between the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve access for veterans to be seen at Military Treatment Facilities.
Click here to learn more.
Senator Marshall Introduces Bill to Expand Assisted Living Under Medicaid
Washington – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) introduced legislation to make assisted living a covered Medicaid benefit for seniors who meet nursing facility level-of-care criteria—aiming to lower federal Medicaid costs while expanding access to community-based care.
Medicaid currently requires coverage for nursing facility care but not assisted living, often leading to higher spending on more intensive care settings. Not only is this unsustainable, but this policy often pushes seniors into higher-cost care they don’t actually need. Many Kansas seniors would prefer assisted living over a nursing facility if given the choice.
Medicaid is projected to grow 63% over the next decade, intensifying pressure on federal and state budgets. This legislation would realign incentives by allowing states to better match patient needs and give choices back to seniors without increasing overall program costs.
Click here to learn more.
Senators Marshall & Hickenlooper Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Workforce Training Programs
Washington – On Monday, U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and John Hickenlooper reintroduced the bipartisan Workforce Data Enhancement Act to improve how we track workforce data across states. Specifically, it would make Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) grant funding permanent to ensure State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) and other providers of workforce training have the tools they need to measure and evaluate their workforce programs.
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” said Senator Marshall. “The Workforce Data Enhancement Act will help states like Kansas and Colorado improve their workforce development programs and connect more Americans to good-paying jobs. I’m glad to partner with Senator Hickenlooper on this effort.”
Click here to learn more.
Senator Marshall Introduces Bill to Ban Child Sex-Change Procedures with $100K Penalties
Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), introduced the Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors (STOP) Act, landmark federal legislation that bans gender transition procedures performed on minors, imposes strict civil penalties on perpetrators, and for the first time creates a federal compensation fund dedicated to helping victims detransition.
“As an OB-GYN with over two decades of clinical experience, I know firsthand what these irreversible procedures do to children,” said Senator Marshall. “These are not medical treatments — they are child abuse. The STOP Act sends a clear message: if you harm a child by performing these procedures, there will be serious consequences. Our children deserve nothing less.”
Click here to learn more.
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Governor Kelly Announces Pardon
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April Total Tax Collections at $1.4 Billion; 2.3% Above Estimate
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Ad: Automotive Technology Instructor – LaHarpe, KS Campus
Automotive Technology Instructor – LaHarpe, KS Campus
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.
Obituary of Jack Leroy Butler
Jack Leroy Butler, age 93, resident of Frontenac, KS, passed away Monday, April 27, 2026, at Pittsburg Care and Rehab in Pittsburg, KS. He was born July 15, 1932, in Pittsburg, KS, the son of Cleo Roy Butler and Emma Dillow Butler. Jack married Lillian Maxine Tripp on September 10, 1955, in Pittsburg. She preceded him in death on September 10, 2014. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean conflict. Jack worked most of his career as a truck driver. In his spare time, he enjoyed being outdoors doing yardwork and gardening. He could often be found in the garage making or fixing something. He liked telling stories and discussing his Army career. Jack was an avid reader, especially the Bible. He loved spending time with family, especially during the holidays.
Survivors include 7 children, Vickie Smith, Spokane, WA, Karen Cox (Virgle) Lamar, MO, Cindy Albertson, Provo, UT, Danny Butler, Arizona, Steven Butler (Lindy) North Carolina, Christina Boren (Glen) Mesa, AZ, and Kimberly Gilbert (David) Paola, KS; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by 3 sisters, a grandson, and his parents.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 12:30 PM Monday, May 11th, at the U.S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com
A Mental Health Day Off Work by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
Jacee asked for a Mental Health Day. She needed time off work because she was stressed, not to mention her employee contract allowed her three of those days a year, so she was entitled to it.
Where were those days when we were living in Houston, Dave was playing baseball in another part of the country and our children were young? No one offered me a day to regroup, not even when I found my outdoor wreath nailed 18” above the baseboard in the living room (i.e., where the ping pong table was located, of course). As it turned out, when Adam beat Jeff in a game, Jeff threw his paddle at his younger brother who retaliated by shoving Jeff through the drywall. The wreath was their brilliant plan to hide the butt cheeks’ hole in the wall.
Or how about the time teenager Jeff placed the riding mower in drive instead of reverse, pinning me against the wall in the shed…the same teenage Jeff who tried to take a shortcut home from mowing a neighbor’s yard and drove into a ditch full of water, dropping the keys in the muddy water when he jumped off the mower? I never got time off work when I was mentally unstable. I got time off work when the principal of Adam’s middle school called me to say that the history teacher was tired of Adam’s shenanigans. Would I trail Adam at school for a day to see if he behaved better? That was my mental health day.
According to Jessica Brodie, author of “5 Sneaky Habits that Cause Serious Mental Health Problems,” mental health issues range from diagnosed mental illness (many times caused from a chemical disorder, genetics or trauma) to short-term periods of mental imbalance. What intrigued me about Brodie’s article was that mental health problems can be caused by five behaviors: lack of sleep, poor nutrition, not exercising, substance abuse and lack of self-love.
Except for substance abuse, I was guilty of the other four but certainly not unsympathetic to single parents who resorted to “substances.” I mean, how was I to sleep when I realized Adam disconnected the security system so he could sneak out his window at night? I guess I needed to be more like Jesus whose disciples had to wake him when a storm arose. (I could not relate.)
As for nutrition, yes, I know that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and deserves proper nutrition (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), but was it my fault Little League concession stands sold only hotdogs and nachos instead of salads? Then there’s exercise—so over-rated. Who has time for a spin class? Wasn’t it enough that daily I played catch with my sons and retrieved balls that somehow missed my glove? Proverbs 31:17 addresses the strength of a godly woman: “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” My arms were strong; it was the rest of my body that suffered.
Matthew 22:39 deals with self-love. Matthew never met my kids. How does one love herself when she is told by other parents that on several occasions her older two sons put a football helmet on their younger brother and had him run through the woods, target practice for their BB guns? No doubt, I was the topic of conversation for many of my son’s friend’s parents.
As I reflect on the hundreds (thousands) of incidents with my children, I understand that had mental health days been offered to parents who deserved them, I never would have worked a day in my life. Still, the wildest thing about all of this is that I now consider my children as some of my greatest blessings. Crazy how that works, isn’t it?
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 1
U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter
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KS Labor Reports March 2026
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54 Graduate Nurses Sign to Join Freeman Health System
Caregivers and Lifesavers
Nurses Recognized During Special Signing Day Ceremony
Joplin, MO – Smiling, sharing hugs, and waving to a max-capacity audience, a graduating class of 53 graduate nurses (GNs) and graduate practical nurses (GPNs) were honored during a unique Freeman Health System ceremony held Wednesday evening.
Just as athletes sign letters of intent to play at the collegiate level, these nurses signed their names to join “Team Freeman.”
“Tonight is a celebration,” said Freeman Senior Vice President Chief Nursing Officer Jeanee Kennedy. “This moment marks your transition from preparation to performance, from training to team. Each of you deserves your place here for your great discipline, long nights, and an unwavering commitment to care.”
During the ceremony, held on the Missouri Southern State University campus, family and friends gathered around the signing table to celebrate their loved one’s hard-earned achievement, often punctuated by cheers and chants from the audience.
“You are signing on to a profession that changes lives every single day,” Kennedy continued. “You are choosing a department, a mascot, and a team that will shape you, and will be shaped by you.”
The nurses—who will enter various Freeman departments such as the birthing center, pediatrics, cardiology, emergency department, orthopedics, and transitional care unit (TCU), among others—will take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Upon passing the exam, they will become either registered nurses or licensed practical nurses at Freeman.
“This is a huge moment,” said Nathan Cantwell, Director of Freeman’s TCU, Cardiac Medical Unit, and Infusion Center. “What you guys are doing tonight represents all the late nights that you’ve spent studying, all the early mornings, all the caffeine over the years, all the stress and anxiety. I hope tonight you can take a moment to step back and just appreciate the finish line that you are now walking across.”
The 53 GN and GNP class marks the largest graduate nursing class since Freeman created the ceremony years ago.
“We are deeply grateful that you have chosen Freeman Health System as your place to grow your nursing career,” said Kristan Eaton, Freeman Senior Vice President Chief Human Resource Officer. “Your journey allows you to provide the care, compassion, and excellence that will make a meaningful difference to our patients and our community.”
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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital, Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc., and Ozark Center—the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services—as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics, and a variety of specialty services. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
Ad: Shead Farm Festival – Saturday, May 16, 2026
Shead Farm Homestead Festival – Explore and gather ideas from Shead Farm, a sustainable lifestyle farm where nutritious veggie powder is grown.
Saturday, May 16th, from 10 am to 5 pm at 2468 Cavalry RD, Garland, KS. Follow the event on Facebook.