TOPEKA—Governor Laura Kelly has announced that Kansas has been chosen to participate in the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) Policy Academy to advance Youth Apprenticeship. Through this initiative, Kansas will devise a strategy to broaden apprenticeship opportunities for young people aged 16 and over.

TOPEKA—Governor Laura Kelly announced that on Monday, August 14th, American icon Dolly Parton would visit Kansas to celebrate the statewide success of her Imagination Library program at a closed event hosted by the Imagination Library of Kansas. Every child in Kansas from birth to age five can receive free monthly books from Dolly’s Imagination Library.

RUSSELL—A brand new historic park, splash pad, and visitors center opened on July 8th, and by July 14th, three different instances of vandalism had already occurred. There was some damage in the restroom facilities, so they have been closed off until repairs can be made.

COFFEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the random killing of a cow in a Kansas pasture. On July 3rd, the Coffey County Kansas Sheriff learned about a cow that had been killed in the pasture.

HAYS—Brad Crawford, a former Hays resident and U.S. Army veteran, left his family in 2022 and risked his life to train fighting forces in Ukraine.

HAYS—The final touches of this year’s Kansas Shrine Bowl are being implemented for the allstar football game in Hays on July 15th, including the appearance of Pro Football Hall of Famer, Barry Sanders. Sanders is an NFL Hall of Fame running back and a Kansas native who will be inducted into the Kansas Shrine Bowl Fall of Fame.

HAYS—One person is dead following a shooting outside of Hays bar early Sunday morning, according to the Hays Police Department. It happened in the 1000 block of East 8th just before 2:00 a.m.

RILEY COUNTY—Wildlife officials have reopened a shooting range that was under construction for nearly two years at Tuttle Creek State Park. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) spokeswoman Nadia Marji said in an email that the Fancy Creek Shooting Range in Riley County is open following a period of demolition and construction that began on July 1st, 2021.

TOPEKA—Federal officials say millions of dollars in funds have been awarded to Kansas for the purpose of making its railways safer. In a press release, the U.S.

ELLIS—A giant mural depicting Ellis High School athletes is taking shape on the side of the grain elevator that faces Washington Street in downtown Ellis. Dennis Schiel of Hays is working on his largest and what may be his last mural.