Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #westernkansas
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Kansas House votes overwhelmingly (116-6) to pass bill 2279, which requires groundwater management districts to do more to preserve the Ogallala Aquifer.
It says GMDs need to identify spots with the worst depletion and submit water conservation action plans to the state. #ksleg
It says GMDs need to identify spots with the worst depletion and submit water conservation action plans to the state. #ksleg
The six representatives who voted against this bill:
-Brett Fairchild, St. John Republican
-Scott Hill, Abilene Republican
-Michael Houser, Columbus Republican
-Trevor Jacobs, Ft. Scott Republican
-Samantha Poetter Parshall, Paola Republican
-Bill Rhiley, Wellington Republican
-Brett Fairchild, St. John Republican
-Scott Hill, Abilene Republican
-Michael Houser, Columbus Republican
-Trevor Jacobs, Ft. Scott Republican
-Samantha Poetter Parshall, Paola Republican
-Bill Rhiley, Wellington Republican
Rep. Fairchild was also the lone vote against this bill in the House Water Committee. At that time, he said his concerns were about it causing more paperwork/cost for GMDs.
Of the six House reps who voted no, Fairchild is the only one whose district actually overlaps with a GMD.
Of the six House reps who voted no, Fairchild is the only one whose district actually overlaps with a GMD.
Beautiful day for driving around #westernkansas with part of the @ksgeology team measuring Ogallala aquifer levels.
Long story short… aquifer declines accelerated this year, largely because of the drought. No rain meant more pumping for irrigation to try to keep crops alive.
Long story short… aquifer declines accelerated this year, largely because of the drought. No rain meant more pumping for irrigation to try to keep crops alive.
Here’s Brownie Wilson, my guide for today’s tour of aquifer wells. He’s one of several @ksgeology folks measuring levels across #westernkansas this week for the annual check-in.
He said many wells that had been dropping 1-2 feet per year saw declines of 3-4 feet this year.
He said many wells that had been dropping 1-2 feet per year saw declines of 3-4 feet this year.
While we were out, he got a message from one of the other crews in SW Kansas.
They measured a well where the water level declined 10 feet since last year.
And its depth to water (how far underground the water table is) dropped to 458 feet, which he believes is a new record.
They measured a well where the water level declined 10 feet since last year.
And its depth to water (how far underground the water table is) dropped to 458 feet, which he believes is a new record.
So, what can #westernkansas tell us about why the Kansas abortion amendment failed?
Even in rural, mostly conservative areas, the amendment fared far worse than Trump did in 2020
Greeley County, the least populated in the state, voted 86% for Trump and 61% Yes...a 25% swing
🧵
Even in rural, mostly conservative areas, the amendment fared far worse than Trump did in 2020
Greeley County, the least populated in the state, voted 86% for Trump and 61% Yes...a 25% swing
🧵
Same story in Hamilton County, population 2,518.
Voted 81% for Trump in 2020.
Voted just 56% Yes today.
Another 25% swing.
Voted 81% for Trump in 2020.
Voted just 56% Yes today.
Another 25% swing.
Another 25% swing in Lane County, population 1,574.
Voted 85% for Trump in 2020.
Voted 60% Yes today.
Voted 85% for Trump in 2020.
Voted 60% Yes today.
While reporting my recent story on Black farmers, I had the chance to learn more about some of the people who founded #Nicodemus, Kansas - the last remaining African American settlement west of the Mississippi.
This is John and Lee Anna Samuels.
📻: hppr.org/hppr-news/2021…
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This is John and Lee Anna Samuels.
📻: hppr.org/hppr-news/2021…
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The Samuels' great-great-great-granddaughter, Angela Bates, was kind enough to share their story with me.
When John and Lee Anna got married, they were enslaved on two different plantations in Kentucky. Bates says John was able to visit Lee Anna two days a week.
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When John and Lee Anna got married, they were enslaved on two different plantations in Kentucky. Bates says John was able to visit Lee Anna two days a week.
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They became separated when Lee Anna's plantation moved to western Missouri. John was later sold to another plantation in Missouri.
Slavery continued in Missouri for two years after the Emancipation Proclamation until the state abolished it in 1865.
3/x stltoday.com/news/local/his…
Slavery continued in Missouri for two years after the Emancipation Proclamation until the state abolished it in 1865.
3/x stltoday.com/news/local/his…
